JMU Back in Action on the Road, Taking on Charlotte Oct. 25

JMU Back in Action on the Road, Taking on Charlotte Oct. 25

10/23/2014 1:41:00 PM | Football

Madison Heads on the Road to the Queen City: After an off week, James Madison returns to action on the road, traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the Charlotte 49ers.

The Coaches: James Madison Head Coach Everett Withers (Appalachian State, '86) is in his first season at JMU with a 4-3 mark and second as a head coach overall with a 11-9 record. This will be a homecoming for Withers, as he grew up in Charlotte, attending Charlotte Senior High School.
      Charlotte Head Coach Brad Lambert (Kansas State, '87) is in his second season with the 49ers and as a head coach overall with an 8-10 record.

History With Charlotte: This is the second meeting between JMU and Charlotte, as the Dukes won last year's meeting 34-7 at Bridgeforth Stadium during the 49ers inaugural season of playing college football.

vs. Charlotte
JMU leads 1-0
(Home 1-0)
Date          Location       W/L       Score
9/21/13       Home             W            34-7

Can It BE Any Tougher?: JMU sports one of the toughest schedules in FCS football, with four opponents currently ranked in the top 25 of at least one poll and three others among the receiving votes in each. JMU played four consecutive weeks against a team that was either ranked or receiving votes at the time of the game, going 2-2 in that stretch.

Getting it Going Against Towson: JMU's win against the 2013 national runner-up Towson Tigers on Oct. 11 had some large numbers for the home squad. The 62 points represented the fourth-best scoring total in the program's Division I history and the highest scoring output since 65 against Delaware State in 2005. It was also Madison's most points ever in a conference game.
        In addition to the overall scoring marks, the game represented the most points scored by JMU in the series against Towson, topping the 58-point scoring effort by the Dukes on Nov. 22, 2008 when top-ranked Madison took down the Tigers in the regular-season finale before going into the playoffs as the top seed.

Lee Earned National, League Defensive Award: Senior defensive lineman Brandon Lee was named The Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week, the publication announced Oct. 20. Lee was earlier named the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week and College Sports Madness National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
        In the Dukes' 62-7 win over Towson, Lee made his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball, recording five total tackles, with 3.0 tackles for 19 yards of loss, including 2.0 sacks for 16 yards, and three forced fumbles resulting in two JMU turnovers. The second forced fumble directly resulted in points, as it was caught in the air by linebacker Rhakeem Stallings and returned 27 yards for a toudchdown to put JMU up 20-0. Lee was a leader on the defense that limited Towson's Darius Victor, the second-leading rusher in the CAA, to just 37 yards on 12 carries, and the Tigers' offense to just 234 yards of total offense, while forcing four turnovers.

Moving the Ball Quickly For Points: The Dukes like to get a rhythm going offensively, and, when they do, the drives are quick and to the point. Of the 32 JMU scoring drives in the first seven games,19 of them have been less than two minutes in length, yet 25 of them have been 50 yards or more. The longest drive in terms of time and plays this season was a 19-play, 75-yard march over 7:29 against Delaware, Sept. 27. Included in the seven beyond three minutes are the three longest drives of the year (one 98 and two drives of 99 yards), with all three ending in touchdowns.

Going Long: It has taken some research to confirm, but this season marks the first time that JMU has had two 99-yard drives in a single season, with one at Lehigh and one at UAlbany. Also, the Lehigh game was the first time that the Dukes have had more than one 90-yard touchdown drive in a single game in school history.

Special Teams Making Big Plays: JMU's special teams have been making plays this year. After no blocked kicks in 2013, this year's team has already gotten to five kicks in the first seven games. Freshman cornerback Jimmy Moreland blocked a potential game-tying field goal at Lehigh. Redshirt-junior defensive lineman Xavier Gates got his hand on a field goal attempt against Saint Francis and redshirt-junior linebacker Marzae Brooks got a piece of a punt at Villanova. Moreland got his hand on a punt in the win at UAlbany, Oct. 4 and, most recently, did it again in the win over Towson, Oct. 11, blocking another field goal attempt.

Moreland Garners CAA Rookie of the Week Honors: Freshman cornerback Jimmy Moreland was named CAA Rookie of the Week for his play against Towson. This is his second league honor of the season as he was named CAA Special Teams Player of the Week after the Lehigh victory.
        Moreland again made his presence felt in the resounding win over visiting Towson. Moreland blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt with JMU leading 6-0, his third blocked kick of the year. The block then led to Madison scoring its second touchdown of the game to go up 13-0. Later in first half, Moreland recorded his team-high third interception and returned it 26 yards for his second touchdown of the game. He also recorded four tackles as part of a defense that limited Towson to just 67 yards rushing (1.6 ypr) and 234 total yards for the game (3.2 per play).

Replay Experiment in the CAA This Year: The Colonial Athletic Association is conducting experiments with official replay across the league during the 2014 season. The CAA is conducting one replay game per school site this season, with JMU having had its game already in the home contest against Delaware, Sept. 27.

Second Half Adjustments Paying Off in Wins: Madison has made its second-half adjustments pay off in its four wins this year. JMU has outrushed its opponents by an average of 60 yards in the second half of each of the victories while gaining an average of 7.89 yards per carry as compared to 4.21 for its foes. It has also scored 80 points in the final 30 minutes of the four victories, as compared to the opponents' 35.

Moreland Named to Jerry Rice Award Watch List: Freshman cornerback Jimmy Moreland has been named to the initial Jerry Rice Award Watch List for the 2014 season, The Sports Network announced Wednesday. The top first-year player in the FCS, whether a true freshman or a redshirt freshman, will win the award named for legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice.
        Moreland has 31 tackles, 23 of them solo, in seven games this season, along with team bests of three interceptions (two of them returned for touchdowns), three blocked kicks and two fumble recoveries. His 31 tackles are ninth on the team and he is tied for the CAA lead with his two fumble recoveries and three interceptions so far. Against Lehigh, Moreland recorded eight solo tackles and blocked the potential game-tying field goal attempt in the final minute to secure JMU's victory over the Mountain Hawks. Against Saint Francis, he had a fumble recovery and an interception return for a 43-yard touchdown to help propel the Dukes to a victory. He had a season-best 10 tackles, including seven solos, and a blocked punt in the last-second victory at UAlbany. Most recently, he had four tackles, blocked a field goal attempt and returned an interception for his second score of the year versus Towson. As a matter of fact, he is the only player in FCS football and one of only three in Division I play to have a pair of interception returns for touchdowns.
        He is the second straight JMU player to be on the watch list, as redshirt-sophomore linebacker Gage Steele was a finalist for the award last season.

The Ground Pounding Gets the Job Done: Madison has been effective in its rushing attack in its four wins this season. In the first two against Lehigh and Saint Francis, the Dukes amassed more than 300 yards of rushing, making it the first time since the 2008 season that JMU has had back-to-back games with more than 300 rushing yards. At the end of the 2008 regular season and into the first game of the playoffs, the program had four consecutive 300-yard games on the ground, led by a 440-yard, seven-touchdown effort against Towson on Nov. 22, 2008. The Dukes had 239 yards on the ground in the victory at UAlbany, Oct. 4. In the win over Towson Oct. 11, Madison put together 268 yards of rushing and four touchdowns.
        On an individual basis, the Dukes have had four 100-yard rushing games, including a pair in the win over Saint Francis. Against Lehigh, freshman running back John Miller had 106 yards and one score on 16 carries. Versus SFU, redshirt-junior quarterback Vad Lee had a career-high 174 yards and one score, while redshirt-senior running back Jauan Latney had 106 yards and one touchdown. It was the first time JMU had two 100-yard rushers in a single game since running back Dae'Quan Scott and quarterback Justin Thorpe accomplished the feat at Maine, Nov. 3, 2012.
        The most recent 100-yard game came from Lee, as he had 111 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 carries against UAlbany.

Spreading the Ball Around: With JMU's passing game continuing to develop, the team is showing that it has a variety of weapons and options. Through seven games, 14 different players have had receptions, with nine of them having seven catches or more. Redshirt-junior tight end Deane Cheatham leads with 26 receptions for 302 yards, while senior wide receiver DeAndre' Smith has a team-high four touchdown catches.

Moreland Turning The Ball to the Dukes' Favor: Freshman defensive back Jimmy Moreland has made getting the ball for JMU almost an "every-game" occasion so far this season. Moreland has created at least one turnover for JMU in six of the seven games, starting with an interception at Maryland, the blocked game-tying field goal attempt at Lehigh, an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery against Saint Francis and a fumble recovery at Villanova. In the win at UAlbany, he got his hand on a punt and, most recently, blocked a field goal and had an interception return for a touchdown in the victory over Towson.

A New But Not Inexperienced Signal Caller: For the third time in three years, the Dukes entered the season with a new quarterback leading the charge, but this one has a strong base of experience to count on. Redshirt-junior Vad Lee transferred to JMU in the spring and went through both spring and fall drills to earn the starting job here. For the past two years, he had been the man under center at Georgia Tech.
      In the 2014 season opener at Maryland, Lee was 16-for-37 for 141 yards and two interceptions through the air and rushed eight times for 27 yards. Lee improved against Lehigh, going 20-for-37 for 284 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers in leading the Dukes to the late road victory. Lee accounted for more than 300 yards of total offense in the win over Saint Francis, as the Durham, N.C., native ran for a career-best 174 yards and one touchdown and threw for 147 yards and two scores. His collegiate career-best rushing total was more than 60 yards better than his previous high total. Recently, Lee threw for a school-record 406 yards and three touchdowns at Villanova, Sept. 20.
      Lee currently ranks fifth in the CAA in rushing at 80.3 yards per game, fourth in passing average at 237.4 yards per game and first in total offense at 317.7 yards per game. He is also seventh in FCS football in total offense, 12th in passing touchdowns (14), 22nd in passing yards per game and 46th in rushing yards per game.

Last Meeting - JMU Handles Newcomer Charlotte: After a quick start by Charlotte at a rainy Bridgeforth Stadium, No. 16/17 James Madison football rode a big day from redshirt-senior Dae'Quan Scott to a 34-7 win over visiting Charlotte, Sept. 21, 2013.
        Led by Scott and quarterback Michael Birdsong, the offense racked up 522 total yards. Scott received a heavy workload, carrying the ball a personal-best 35 times for 176 yards and two touchdownswhile Birdsong was 20-for-28 through the air for 201 yards and a score.
        Scott eclipsed 100-yards rushing for the fourth straight game and the 16th time in his career to move into third all-time in career-rushing yards (2,886 yards). Birdsong passed for more than 200 yards for the second time in the 2013 season.(Complete recap on page 24.)

Last Time Out - Dukes Dominate Towson: James Madison played its most complete game of the season and posted its highest scoring output since 65 against Delaware State in 2005 to defeat the Towson Tigers 62-7 in front of a Family Weekend crowd of 24,113 at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field on Saturday.
        Redshirt-junior quarterback Vad Lee paced the Dukes offense with 255 yards passing on 24 completions in 33 attempts. He also matched his season high in passing touchdowns with three. Sophomore Brandon Ravenel led the receiving corps with career highs of 107 yards and eight receptions (13.4 yards/catch) with a touchdown. Senior DeAndre' Smith added four catches for 55 yards and connected with Lee for two scores.
        JMU (4-3, 2-2 CAA) dominated in nearly every category, leading Towson (2-5, 0-3 CAA) 554-234 in total yards and 31-17 in first downs while also winning the turnover battle with four takeaways compared to none of its own.
        The 62 points by the Dukes represented the fourth-best scoring total in the program's Division I history. It was also James Madison's most points ever in a conference game.
        Freshman tailback John Miller led the ground attack for the Dukes, rushing for 74 yards on 11 carries (6.7 yards/rush) and three touchdowns. Sophomore Khalid Abdullah and redshirt-senior Jauan Latney added 41 and 38 yards respectively, including a 16-yard touchdown scamper from Abdullah in the third quarter. (Complete recap on page 25.)

Lee Setting Records Through the Air: Redshirt-junior quarterback Vad Lee had a record-setting passing day at Villanova, Sept. 20. In the game against the No. 8 Wildcats, Lee set a school single-game record with 406 passing yards, surpassing the previous mark of 388 set by Greg Maddox against Hofstra on Sept. 12, 1998. Redshirt-junior tight end Deane Cheatham was one of the key recipients, as Cheatham had his first career 100-yard receiving game with six catches for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Harold Making His Presence Felt... On Quarterbacks Mostly: Redshirt-senior defensive end/linebacker Sage Harold has been seen all over the field for JMU's defense this fall, but especially by opposing quarterbacks. He currently ranks fourth in the CAA and 18th in FCS football at 0.93 sacks per game, while also being fourth in the league and eight nationally at 0.43 forced fumbles per contest. He has 37 total tackles (tied for fourth among CAA defensive linemen), which ranks sixth at JMU, including 10.5 tackles for loss (fifth in the CAA), 6.5 sacks for 36 yards, seven quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles (tied for second in CAA) and one fumble recovery. He had a career-high 10 tackles against Saint Francis and in the win at UAlbany Oct. 4, Harold recorded seven tackles (five of them solo) with 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.

The Sack Attack: After going the first two games without a sack, the JMU defense has stepped up its pressure on opposing quarterbacks. So far, Madison has 18 sacks on the year, with 10 different players having at least 0.5 sack. Of the 18, 14 of them have occurred in the last three games, two of those wins. Redshirt-senior Sage Harold leads the category with 6.5 sacks on the season, including a career-high 2.5 in the win at Albany.

Stability On the Offensive Line: A significant part of JMU's offensive success is due to the offensive line blending and improving from week to week. Through seven games, the Dukes have had the same five starters on the offensive line, which is key since one is new to JMU since the summer (Nick Appel) and two did not go through spring practice due to injuries (Matt Williams and Mitchell Kirsch).

Oh Captains, My Captains: This season, JMU has elected three permanent captains in senior linebacker/defensive end Sage Harold, senior safety Dean Marlowe and redshirt-junior quarterback Vad Lee. The fourth captain for each game will be determined before the contest.

Withers Takes the Reins: Head Coach Everett Withers has taken over the leadership of the JMU football program for the 2014 season. Withers is just the sixth head coach in the program's 42-year history.
JMU Coaching History

Challace McMillin (1972-84)
Joe Purzycki (1985-90)
Rip Scherer (1991-94)
Alex Wood (1995-98)
Mickey Matthews (1999-2013)
Everett Withers (2014)

Newcomers Making an Impact: Looking at the two-deep for James Madison in the 2014 season, there are a lot of new faces for the Dukes and first-year Head Coach Everett Withers.             Through seven games, four new FBS transfers and a combined total of 22 redshirt freshmen and freshmen have seen action for the Dukes as compared to 16 freshmen playing in all of the 2013 season.
FBS Transfers to JMU on Two-Deep (including former school and year)
Offense:       2     Vad Lee - Georgia Tech (2014)
                        6     Sean Tapley - North Carolina (2014)
                        13 Ishmael Hyman - Kansas (2014)
                        30 Alden Hill - Tennessee (2014)
                        61 A.J. Bolden - Toledo (2014)
                        69 Nick Appel - North Carolina (2014)
                        77 Austin Lane - Syracuse (2011)
Defense:      1     Titus Till - Maryland (2012)
                        21 Jeremiah Wilson - Maryland (2012)
                        95 Xavier Gates - Kansas State (2014)

Redshirt Freshmen (10)
No.     Player                                           Yr.        Pos.    Ht.   Wt.
   12     Blaine Stewart                         R-Fr.        WR     6-1   205
   13     Ishmael Hyman                       R-Fr.        WR     6-0   185
   29     Kyre Hawkins                           R-Fr.         LB      6-0   220
   44     Jordan Brown                           R-Fr.          S        6-2   190
   61     A.J. Bolden                                 R-Fr.        OL      6-3   305
   65     Evans Osuji                                R-Fr.        DL      6-3   270
   70     Aaron Stinnie                           R-Fr.        DL      6-3 273
   74     Simeyon Robinson                R-Fr.        DL      6-1 275
   84     Brandon Brown                        R-Fr.         TE       6-3   260
   93     Andrew Ankrah                       R-Fr.         LB      6-4   234

True Freshmen (12)
No.     Player                                           Yr.        Pos.    Ht.   Wt.
   17     Bryan Schor                                 Fr.          QB      6-2   213
   17    Jimmy Moreland                      Fr.          CB     5-10 175
   20     Taylor Woods                              Fr.           TB      5-9   190
   28     John Miller                                  Fr.           TB     5-10 180
   34     Justin Bethea                              Fr.          CB     5-10 165
   35     Marcell Johnson                        Fr.            S        6-2   193
   41     Aaron Peak                                  Fr.          CB      5-9   198
   46     David Ezeagwu                          Fr.           LB      6-3   225
   67     Tay Crutchfield                          Fr.          DL      6-0   245
   91     Jonathan Kloosterman           Fr.           TE       6-3   241
   94     Cornell Urquhart                       Fr.          DL      6-4   255
   96     Ryan Etheridge                          Fr.           LB      6-2   231

Overtime Wasn't the Right Time: Madison went to overtime for just the 13th time in school history against Delaware, Sept. 27, and came out on the losing end of the 30-23 decision. Below are all the overtime games in JMU history.
JMU's Overtime Games (6-7)
Date                    Result
11/30/91          JMU 42, Delaware 35 (2 ot) (A) (NCAA)
11/19/94          Northeastern 9, JMU 6 (H)
12/3/94             Marshall 28, JMU 21 (A) (NCAA)
9/23/95             JMU 28, Villanova 27 (A)
11/15/97          JMU 39, URI 37 (3 ot) (H)
10/6/01             Villanova 45, JMU 44 (2 ot), (A)
9/21/02             JMU 24, Hofstra 21 (2 ot) (A)
11/16/02          JMU 34, William & Mary 31 (H)
9/12/09             Maryland 38, JMU 35 (A)
11/6/10             Richmond, 13, JMU 10 (A)
10/8/11             Maine 25, JMU 24 (H)
10/13/12          JMU 27, William & Mary 26 (2 ot) (H)
9/27/14             Delaware 30, JMU 23 (H)

Road Challenges: JMU will find the challenges on the road, playing seven of its 12 regular season contests away from home. The Dukes opened the season with back-to-back road contests at Maryland and the second week's game at Lehigh, which was receiving votes in both major Football Championship Subdivision polls. CAA road opponents Villanova (#5/6) , UAlbany (then #23) and Richmond (#20/22) continue to make the road challenging throughout the season. Of the seven opponents this year, six of them won at least five games last year and had a combined 22-18 mark at their home fields in 2013. Currently, the Dukes are 2-2 on the road in 2014, with the most recent a win at then-No. 23 UAlbany.

Last 10 Years Versus the CAA: For the last 10-plus seasons (starting in 2004), James Madison has been among the top CAA teams. During that time span, the Dukes have put together a 54-29 conference mark and trail only New Hampshire. Overall, JMU is 83-42 in that span, surpassed only by New Hampshire's 95-37 mark. Additionally, Madison is the only school in this group to have at least a .500 overall record in each of the past 11 seasons back through the 2003 campaign.
CAA Records 2004-Pres.      Conf.          Overall
New Hampshire                         60-23            96-37
James Madison                         55-29            84-42
Villanova                                        50-34            77-51
Richmond                                      48-35            79-48
Maine                                              44-41            62-59
Delaware                                       43-40            74-52
William & Mary                            40-44            64-57
Towson                                           32-53            57-64
Rhode Island                                 17-66            30-85
NOTE: During this time period until the 2010 season, CAA teams each season played five other teams in their division and three of the six teams in the other division for an eight-game league slate. With the dropping of football by two CAA schools prior to 2010, the league eliminated the divisions and used one set of standings. After the 2011 season, Massachusetts moved up to the FBS level.
All-Time JMU vs. CAA Teams
(* Former league teams; includes when not CAA members)
                                                         JMU            Last
Opponent                              Overall         Met
Albany                                           2-0            2014
Boston University*                 5-1-0          1997
Connecticut*                            4-1-0          1999
Delaware                                  8-14-0         2014
Georgia State*                         1-0-0          2012
Hofstra*                                       6-3-0          2009
Maine                                         11-5-0         2012
Massachusetts*                       7-8-1          2011
New Hampshire                      7-8-0          2013
Northeastern*                         12-8-0         2007
Old Dominion*                        0-2-0          2012
Rhode Island                             8-3-0          2012
Richmond                                14-17-0        2013
Stony Brook                               0-1-0          2013
Towson                                      19-6-1         2014
Villanova                                  12-11-0        2014
William & Mary                     20-17-0        2013
Totals                                    136-101-2    (.573)

Harold Earns First CAA Weekly Award: James Madison defensive end/linebacker Sage Harold was named the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Sept. 15. It was the first weekly award of Harold's career and the third earned by a JMU player this season.
        Harold was a standout in the home win over Saint Francis, recording a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solos, and tying for JMU team-high honors in the contest. He also added one sack, one tackle-for-loss, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in the 38-22 victory.

Calling Long Distance: In Sept. 6's thrilling win at Lehigh, the Dukes put together a pair of extremely long drives. On the second scoring drive of the final half, Madison marched 99 yards in nine plays to tie a school-record long drive. Then on the eventual game-winning possession, JMU used 11 plays to go 98 yards, capped off by redshirt-senior running back Jauan Latney's six-yard run. In all, all five Dukes' scoring drives were 65 yards or more, with four of them eight plays or more.

Marlowe Preseason Honors: Senior safety Dean Marlowe is one of the top returning players for the Dukes, having earned Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors last season as a safety and third team honors as a punt returner. Selected as an All-CAA safety in each of his first three years, Marlowe recorded 77 total tackles, including 37 solo stops, one interception and eight passes defended last season. He ranked 12th among league defensive backs with 6.4 tackles per game, including a career-high 13 against Stony Brook, and was named to The Sports Network Preseason All-America Third Team earlier this summer.
        In 2012, Marlowe earned First Team All-CAA honors as the only sophomore on the CAA defensive first team and was selected as First Team All-State by both the Roanoke Times and Virginia Sports Information Directors Association. As a sophomore, Marlowe recorded 82 tackles on the year including 44 solos, 5.0 for loss, seven passes defended, a team-high tying three interceptions, one forced fumble and one safety.
        This year, Marlowe currently has 40 tackles (27 solo) on the season with three pass breakups and 3.0 tackles for loss.

Pair Earn CAA Weekly Honors For Lehigh Win: JMU picked up its first two weekly honors from the CAA following the Lehigh victory, as freshman defensive back Jimmy Moreland was named Special Teams Player of the Week and freshman running back John Miller earned Rookie of the Week, Sept. 8.
        In his second collegiate game, Moreland came around the right side of the Lehigh defense and blocked a game-tying 27-yard field goal attempt to preserve JMU's 31-28 victory at Lehigh. It was the first blocked kick for the Dukes since the 2012 season. In addition, Moreland recorded eight tackles on the day, with all eight of them solos.
        Miller came off the bench and gave JMU a spark in its battle at Lehigh. The freshman had 16 carries for a game-high 106 yards and one score, part of a 322-yard rushing effort for the Dukes in the come-from-behind win. Miller's 9-yard touchdown run came less than three minutes into the second half, sparking Madison to 21 points in the final two quarters for the win. He only had one carry for a 1-yard loss, while Miller's season-best 36-yard scamper put the Dukes at the Lehigh 28, setting up their final and eventual game-winning score.

JMU Football History: The 2014 season is JMU's 43rd season of football, its 41st varsity football season, its 36th season with football scholarship players and its 35th season competing at what is now the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, formerly Division I-AA.
        JMU began football in 1972, moved to a recognized varsity schedule in 1974, first awarded scholarships for the 1979 season and moved to Division I-AA in 1980. JMU moved from Division III to Division II in 1979 and to then-Division I-AA for the 1980 season.
        JMU's top seasons in addition to winning the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA championship (13-2) have been in 2008 when the Dukes reached the FCS semifinals as the playoffs' top-seeded team and compiled a 12-2 record, 2007 (8-4, NCAA playoffs), 2006 (9-3, NCAA playoffs), 1999 (8-4, NCAA playoffs), 1995 (8-4, NCAA playoffs), 1994 (10-3, NCAA playoffs, second round), 1991 (9-4, NCAA playoffs, second round), 1987 (9-3, NCAA playoffs), 1982 (8-3), 1978 (8-2, No. 9, Division III), and 1975 (9-0-1, College Division).

Dukes in the Show: JMU is well represented in the NFL on the 2014 rosters entering the season. The Dukes had four former players on the opening day 53-man rosters for their respective teams. Linebacker Akeem Jordan spent his first six years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, spent last year with the Kansas City Chiefs and is now a backup at middle linebacker with the Washington Redskins. Starting his fifth season in the NFL is former defensive end turned linebacker Arthur Moats (Pittsburgh Steelers), who is listed as the backup at both outside linebacker slots. Additionally, second-year offensive lineman Earl Watford is backup at right guard with the Arizona Cardinals. From last year's squad, offensive tackle Josh Wells made the 53-man roster with the Jacksonville Jaguars while defensive lineman Jordan Stanton is on the practice squad with the New York Giants.

Former Duke Haley Enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame: Former James Madison football All-American Charles Haley was enshrined in the College Football Hall Of Fame, July 15-16, 2011, in South Bend, Ind. He was the first ever player from a CAA school and sixth person overall (five previous were coaches) to be elected to the Hall.
        Haley was a four year starter at JMU from 1982-85. He was a two-time All-American and a three-time Defensive MVP at Madison. As a senior at JMU, Haley was voted a 1985 Associated Press First-Team I-AA All-American and both the Richmond Touchdown Club and Roanoke Times & World News' State Defensive Player of the Year. He leads JMU's all-time tackles list with 506, including three seasons of more than 100 tackles, and his 22 tackles at Shippensburg during the 1983 season still ranks as the eighth-highest single-game total in JMU history. He also added three interceptions and 17 quarterback sacks to his total.
        In 1986, after his senior season Haley was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, as he was the No. 96 pick overall, the highest ever in school history. The first ever JMU player to be drafted into the NFL, Haley went on to become the only player in the league's history to win five Super Bowls, two with the 49ers and three with the Dallas Cowboys. He was also selected to five Pro Bowls during his career, as well as being a two-time First-Team All-Pro and 1990 NFC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his professional career with 100.5 sacks, including a career-high 16 in 1990. He had eight fumble recoveries and scored one touchdown in the NFL. He retired in 1999 before becoming an assistant coach for the Detroit Lions.

Dukes Historically in the NFL: In addition to the former Dukes currently active with professional football organizations, JMU's leading all-time performers include several other players who have enjoyed success in the NFL - placekicker Scott Norwood (1978-81), wide receiver Gary Clark (1980-83), defensive end Charles Haley (1982-85), linebacker Dion Foxx (1990-93), wide receiver Macey Brooks (1993-96), running back Curtis Keaton (1998-99), tight end Ed Perry (1993-96) and return specialist Delvin Joyce (1997-2000).
        Norwood received All-Pro honors as a placekicker with the Buffalo Bills. Clark was All-Pro with the Washington Redskins and a member of two Super Bowl title teams and later played with the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. He was selected in the first round of the first United States Football League draft in 1984.
        Haley was the first player to be a member of five Super Bowl title teams while playing with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. He was the first Duke to be a first-team Division I-AA All-America and the first Duke chosen in the NFL draft (San Francisco, 1986, fourth round). He is JMU's career tackles leader.
        Foxx played with the Miami Dolphins. Brooks was with the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears.
        Keaton was with the Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints after being the 1999 Atlantic 10 offensive player of the year when he ran for 1,719 yards and 20 touchdowns.
        Perry was a tight end and long snapper with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs after being Miami's sixth-round 1997 draft pick and first-team All-Yankee Football Conference during each of his final three collegiate seasons.
        Joyce was a return specialist for the New York Giants and New York Jets. He ended his career at JMU as the only player in Division I-AA history with 1,000 yards in each of the career statistical categories of rushing, receiving, punt returns and kickoff returns and as the all-time Division I-AA leader in punt return yards and combined kick return yards. He holds many of JMU's career kick return marks and is the program's all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 5,659.
                Two other former Dukes saw extensive time during the 2007 preseason with NFL teams, including tailback Alvin Banks (2003-06) with the New York Jets and offensive lineman Corey Davis (2003-06) with the Buffalo Bills. Justin Rascati, JMU's starting quarterback from 2004-06, briefly was with the Chicago Bears. Former tight end Mike Caussin spent time with Buffalo Bills (active) and Jacksonville Jaguars (practice squad) last season.