No. 12 Dukes Welcome Albany in Bid to Start Season 3-0

Saturday, September 19

Harrisonburg, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

Albany

Buy Tickets

9/15/2015 3:30:00 PM | Football

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The 12th-ranked James Madison football team finishes a three-game, season-opening homestand this Saturday when it hosts Albany for a 3 p.m. kickoff on Comcast SportsNet. The 2015 season is presented by CarMax and Saturday's game is sponsored by Sentara RMH.

JMU is 2-0 all-time in the young series against Albany. After downing UA 40-13 at home during the 2013 campaign, the Dukes began a seven-game win streak with a 31-28 victory at Albany last season. With the game tied, Ryan Maglio converted his first career made field goal from 34 yards out with four seconds left to win it.

LEADING THE NATION
JMU leads FCS in total offense (665.5), completion percentage (76.6%) and first downs (60). Madison's offense is also second in scoring (55.5), fourth in rushing (317.5) and third-down conversions (59.3) and sixth in passing (348.0). The defense has also enjoyed success, ranking fourth in total sacks (4.0) and seventh against the run (61.0).

Individually, Khalid Abdullah is the only player in the country with five rushing touchdowns. Vad Lee is second in completion percentage (75.0%) and third in total offense (393.0), while Cornell Urquhart is fourth in sacks per game (1.5).

LAST TIME THEY MET
Ryan Maglio converted a 34-yard field goal with four seconds left to propel JMU to a thrilling 31-28 win at then-No. 23 Albany, which sparked a seven-game win streak for the Dukes to end the regular season. JMU rushed for 239 yards and converted 10-of-17 third-down attempts.

Vad Lee passed for 177 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 111 yards and another score, which included a 57-yard scamper. Marcell Johnson recorded a career-high 14 tackles to go with a sack and forced fumble while Gage Steele (12) also had double-digit tackles.

SCOUTING ALBANY
The Great Danes come to Harrisonburg with a 1-1 record following a CAA-opening 35-7 win over Rhode Island last weekend. Albany raced out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and led throughout the game.

The Danes forced six turnovers (2 INT, 4 FR), resulting in 14 points for the hosts. DJ Crook was 19-of-27 for 191 yards and two touchdowns while also running for one more score. Elliot Croskey, the reigning CAA Rookie of the Week, rushed for a game-high 141 yards and scored two touchdowns while Josh Gontarek made five receptions for 51 yards and a score. Julian Cox led the team with 10 tackles while Jamal Merritt had two of the team's six takeaways with an interception and fumble recovery.

TALE OF THE TAPE

James Madison		Albany
55.5	Scoring Offense	24.5
12.0	Scoring Defense	29.0
+43.5	Scoring Margin	-4.5
348.0	Passing Yards	159.5
317.5	Rushing Yards	152.0
665.5	Total Offense	311.5
59% (16/27)	3rd Down Offense	59% (17/29)
38% (13/34)	3rd Down Defense	36% (10/28)
33% (1/3)	4th Down Offense	0% (0/0)
20% (1/5)	4th Down Defense	75% (6/8)
93% (14/15)	Red Zone Scoring	100% (6/6)
8/3/2	Sacks/INTs/Fumble Recoveries	2/2/4

CAA STANDINGS

School	CAA	Overall
UAlbany	1-0	1-1
James Madison	0-0	2-0
Stony Brook	0-0	1-0
William & Mary	0-0	1-0
Delaware	0-0	1-1
Elon	0-0	1-1
New Hampshire	0-0	1-1
Richmond	0-0	1-1
Towson	0-0	1-1
Villanova	0-0	1-1
Maine	0-0	0-1
Rhode Island	0-1	0-2

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Dukes win! Get your @JMUFootball tickets for next Saturday's game vs. Albany at http://t.co/LIEsFOXfPN pic.twitter.com/KIfcUGYKFt
— JMUSports (@JMUSports) September 12, 2015

PROMOTIONS - For a complete list of 2015 promotions, click here.
Faculty/Staff Appreciation, presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank - JMU Faculty and Staff can receive two free tickets to the game. For information, or to claim your free tickets, please visit the JMU Convocation Center ticket office.
First Responders Day
University Outpost Fan Zone

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are still available for this game and start at $22 for reserved or general admission seating. Special ticket promotions are available for area First Responders as well as JMU Faculty and Staff, call 540-568-3853 or order online at JMUTickets.com.

DUKES ON THE BROADCAST
JMU will be making its first 2015 appearance on television on Saturday, with Comcast SportsNet broadcasting the Dukes matchup with Albany. This will mark the first of seven television appearances for JMU, with the Oct. 31 contest at William & Mary being televised nationally on NBC Sports.

MADIZONE HD SPORTSNET
For those out of market, catch every home football game live on MadiZONE HD SportsNet, presented by the JMU Alumni Association. MadiZONE is powered through Stretch Internet and is free of charge.

Curt Dudley serves as the play-by-play man for all home JMU video broadcasts and is joined by JMU senior student Joe Kuykendall. All MadiZONE broadcasts are produced by Telemedia Productions.

JMU NTELOS WIRELESS BROADCAST NETWORK
All 11 regular-season games, as well as any potential postseason matchups, can be heard online on the JMU nTelos Wireless Broadcast Network or on local airwaves at WSVA 550AM and 92.1 FM.

Dave Thomas is in his first season as the play-by-play man for the Dukes and calls alongside color commentator Clint Estes at home while Curt Dudley provides analysis on the road.