Strong Defensive Effort Propels #1 Dukes Past #11 Villanova, 30-8

Saturday, October 14

Harrisonburg, Va.

3:30 PM

James Madison University

6-0 , 3-0

Villanova

4-3 , 2-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Villanova

James Madison

Strong Defensive Effort Propels #1 Dukes Past #11 Villanova, 30-8

10/14/2017 7:03:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score Highlights Press Conference Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Top-ranked James Madison held 11th-ranked Villanova scoreless for three quarters and scored 14 straight points down the stretch to grind out a 30-8 Colonial Athletic Association Football victory on Saturday afternoon in front of 25,993 fans at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.

The attendance was the second-largest in school history, trailing the 26,069 at JMU's Oct. 24, 2015 matchup against Richmond.

JMU broke the CAA win-streak record, extending its nation-leading wins mark to 18 wins. That leads all teams both at the FBS and FCS levels. The win was also the 300th for the program.

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Defense was the name of the game, as the Dukes limited Villanova to 174 yards of total offense. It was the fifth straight game conceding less than 300 yards and the third time allowing under 200. It was also the fourth time in six games they gave up 10 points or less.
JMU had three takeaways, including two interceptions. The latter was a pick-six on a 5-yard return by senior linebacker Brandon Hereford with 1:57 to play. It was his first career interception.
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Andrew Ankrah was a force up front, making 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks to move into tie for seventh place all-time at JMU with 21.0 career sacks.
Redshirt senior safety Jordan Brown paced the defense with a game-high 12 stops (8 solo), and redshirt senior defensive lineman Simeyon Robinson had a pass breakup and sack at a crucial juncture in the fourth quarter.
Senior quarterback Bryan Schor was 20-of-28 for 271 yards and two touchdowns, as he reached 50 career passing touchdowns. He is one shy of Vad Lee and Justin Rascati, who each had 51.
Redshirt senior receiver Terrence Alls tied his career high with seven catches for 83 yards. Freshman tight end Clayton Cheatham had two grabs for a career-high 57 yards and a score. Junior receiver David Eldridge also had four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.
JMU out-gained the Wildcats, 316-174, which included a 271-30 advantage in the passing game.

SCHOR SURPASSES PASSING MILESTONE

Late in the second quarter, Bryan Schor threw his 49^th career touchdown pass, but not before reaching a career milestone.
Needing just 113 passing yards, Schor surpassed 5,000 career yards, becoming the fifth JMU quarterback in history to reach the feat. He now has 5,158 yards for his career.
He joins an elite list consisting of: Mike Cawley (6,482), Justin Rascati (5,912), Vad Lee (5,652) and Eriq Williams (5,356).

DEFENSE STANDS TALL…AGAIN
The Dukes defense combined for 6 total sacks and 11 tackles for loss, both of which were season highs. JMU has tallied at least 5.0 tackles for loss in each game and it was the third straight outing the defense registered three or more sacks. JMU also forced three turnovers, including a pick-six late in the fourth. Villanova did not cross midfield until late in the third quarter, which led to its only score of the night.

GRAY MATCHES KICKING RECORD

Tyler Gray hit three field goals, setting a career-high for most in a single game. This was the 15^th time in JMU history that a player had achieved this mark.
Gray opened the game with two field goals to put the Dukes up 6-0, and his third came midway through the third quarter. On the day, he made field goals from 22, 36 and 17 yards out.

PRESS CONFERENCE

PHOTO OF THE GAME - full photo gallery

David Eldridge dives for a touchdown in the fourth.

UP NEXT
JMU heads east to Williamsburg, Va., to face William & Mary on Oct. 21. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Zable Stadium.