Dukes convert fourth down into victory
- |
James Madison got the revenge it had waited months for last night, and did it in the sweetest of ways, rallying from a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat three-time defending national champion Appalachian State, 35-32, in Harrisonburg, Va.
The Dukes (3-1), whose decision to go for a game-clinching fourth and 1 last year in the playoffs started a remarkable collapse that ended with the Mountaineers winning, 28-27, converted in a similar scenario this time.
Facing fourth and 1 at the Mountaineers' 24, Rodney Landers handed off to Griff Yancey, who burst up the middle for 6 yards. A facemask penalty and a 3-yard run by Landers brought it to the 4, and Eugene Holloman did the rest, taking a pitch as the entire line headed right, and racing untouched to the left corner to make it 28-24.
The Mountaineers (1-2) responded by driving deep into Dukes territory, but on first and 10 from the 29, Robert Welton carried the ball inside the 15 and was still grinding when Jamie Veney stripped the ball and Gerren Griffin recovered for JMU as the stadium erupted.
James Madison promptly drove 87 yards, Landers taking it in from the 1 with 2:31 to play.
UNH 32, Albany 24 - R.J. Toman threw for 255 yards and four touchdowns to lead the 10thranked Wildcats (3-0) past the Great Danes in a nonconference game in Durham, N.H.
Albany's Vinny Esposito completed 21 of 31 for 283 yards and one touchdown.
Richmond 44, Maine 17 - Eric Ward threw for a career-high 273 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Spiders (3-1, 2-0 Colonial) over the Black Bears in Richmond.
Adam Farkes was 20 of 34 passing for 229 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Maine (2-2, 0-1).
Hofstra 23, Rhode Island 20 - Roger Williams kicked a 38-yard field goal with three seconds left to give the Pride (1-2, 1-0) the win over the Rams (1-3, 0-2) in Hempstead, N.Y.
Furman 23, Delaware 21 - Matthew Cesari's 29-yard fourthquarter field goal was Furman's only score after the break, but it was enough as the host Paladins (3-1) held off the Blue Hens (1-2).
William & Mary 42, Norfolk St. 12 - Jake Phillips threw for four touchdowns to guide the Tribe (2-1) at home.
