Dukes Win at Lehigh to Advance in NCAA Football Playoffs

Saturday, November 27

Bethlehem, Pa.

James Madison University

Lehigh

Dukes Win at Lehigh to Advance in NCAA Football Playoffs

11/27/2004 2:54:00 PM | Football

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (11/27/2004) – Justin Rascati and Raymond Hines ran for first-half touchdowns, and JMU got a strong defensive effort throughout the game in winning 14-13 at Lehigh during the opening round of the Division I-AA playoffs.

The victory raised the Dukes' record to 10-2, allowed them to advance to the playoffs' second round, and gave them a team-season-record-tying wins total. JMU had set its then-season record of 10 victories in 1994, the last time the Dukes had advanced in post-season play.

Rascati scored on a nine-yard scramble during JMU's first series, and Hines ran one yard for a touchdown late during the second period for JMU's other points. JMU led 14-10 at halftime and allowed the 9-3 Mountain Hawks only 114 second-half yards. JMU set a team game record with 11 sacks. Seven Dukes were involved in sacks, including three with two or more.

Frank Cobbs led the pass rushers with 2.5 sacks, and he broke up two passes. Kwynn Walton and Bruce Johnson both were credited with two sacks, and Trey Townsend broke up three passes.

Hines ran 29 times for 191 yards and had his fifth 100-yard rushing effort of the season.

JMU got the ball for the first time at its nine after a Lehigh punt and scored in 14 plays. Hines started the drive with a 17-yard carry, and Rascati hit on seven of nine passes for 69 yards before scoring from the nine.

Lehigh pulled to within 7-3 on its third series on a 43-yard field goal by Matt McNelis, moving 44 yards in 10 plays before being stopped at the JMU 26. The Hawks went ahead 10-7 at the 7:40 mark of the second quarter when Eric Rath capped a seven-play, 54-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run.

JMU went in front 14-10 on Hines' one-yard run during its next series. Hines set up the touchdown with a 43-yard run to the Lehigh one, and the Dukes had the ball for 6:39 and went 65 yards in 14 plays.

Lehigh got to within 14-13 when McNelis kicked a 28-yard field goal with 3:55 left during the third quarter. The Hawks scored nine plays after getting the ball at the JMU 39 when the Dukes didn't convert on a faked punt try.

JMU had only 128 second-half yards but moved from its four to the Lehigh 49 with 2:45 to play. The Dukes then stopped Lehigh at the 50 without a first down and moved to the Lehigh 21 to run out the clock. Cobbs had a sack on third down, and Townsend broke up Lehigh's fourth-down pass.