#8 Dukes Shatter Scoring Record in 84-7 Homecoming Win over URI

Saturday, October 29

Harrisonburg, Va.

3:30 p.m.

James Madison University

7-1 , 5-0

Rhode Island

1-8 , 0-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rhode Island

James Madison

#8 Dukes Shatter Scoring Record in 84-7 Homecoming Win over URI

10/29/2016 7:37:00 PM | Football

Box Score @JMUFootball Highlights Box Score Press Conference Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Junior quarterback Bryan Schor set one program record for passing and tied another, while senior tight end Daniel Schiele tallied a career-high three receiving touchdowns to lead No. 8 James Madison to an 84-7 Colonial Athletic Association football victory over Rhode Island on Homecoming Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.

The Dukes (7-1, 5-0 CAA) now sit alone atop the CAA standings as the lone unbeaten squad, while the Rams (1-8, 0-6) dropped their 11th straight conference game. The victory was JMU's seventh in a row over URI, as it set the program record for points in a game, surpassing the 80 points scored in the season opener against Morehead State (Sept. 3), while also setting a program record for margin of victory (77). The performances also set a CAA record for most points scored in a conference game and tied the league record for conference-game win margin (77).

Schor set JMU's single-game completion percentage record, going 21-for-22 (95%) for 309 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs. His five-touchdown performance tied JMU's single-game record, matching outings by Vad Lee (5 vs. Elon, 10/10/15) and Michael Birdsong (5 vs. Stony Brook, 11/16/13).

Schiele scored on all three of his receptions, scoring three touchdowns on 30 yards, tying the program record for receiving scores in a game. It was a tight end touchdown record, as he was the first player to reel in three scores through the air since Daniel Brown did so against Albany in 2013. Senior receiver Rashard Davis reeled in five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, while senior Brandon Ravenel also had five catches for 97 yards and junior Domo Taylor picked up two receptions for 42 yards.

Senior running back Khalid Abdullah rushed 18 times for a game-high 97 yards and a touchdown, as he surpassed Curtis Keaton (2,783 – 1998-99) for fourth place all-time on the career rushing list. He now stands at 2,820 career yards, needing just 180 more to eclipse 3,000 in a JMU uniform. Abdullah was one of four backs to score in the win, as sophomore Trai Sharp had 13 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown, junior Taylor Woods had 45 yards and a score on 10 rushes and redshirt sophomore Cardon Johnson added three runs for 44 yards and a pair of scores.

JMU out-gained URI 628-109 in total offense, as the defense limited the Rams to 12 passing yards and 97 rushing yards while forcing six turnovers. The Dukes returned two interceptions for touchdowns, racking up five picks on the day to set a program record against Division I competition. Freshman defensive lineman John Daka led the team with six total tackles and senior safety Raven Greene added a pair of tackles while turning in his first two-interception game of his career, taking one to the house for second career pick-six. Junior safety Marcell Johnson later returned his interception for his first-ever touchdown.

QUOTING COACH HOUSTON - VIEW FULL PRESS CONFERENCE
"The big thing we challenged the team to do was finish the game. We talked about it all this week that we haven't really finished a game since Morehead State. We wanted to start fast and play well all game long. I think we did a great job of that in all three phases of the game. I'm sure there are one or two things we will need to correct, but it was a really solid effort by our guys. I'm excited to get the win on Homecoming in front of so many alumni and fans. It certainly makes it a little more special by having all of them back on campus."

PLAY OF THE GAME

Senior safety Raven Greene snags a Rhode Island pass and returns it 24 yards for a pick six.

THREE'S COMPANY FOR SCHIELE
Making just his second career start at tight end, Daniel Schiele was rather consistent as all of his catches resulted in touchdowns. Schiele finished the day with three receptions for 30 yards and and three touchdowns – all career highs. He became the first tight end in program history to record three touchdowns in a single game and tied the program record for single-game touchdown receptions. Only three other players have achieved the feat, most recently Daniel Brown in 2013. Macey Brooks (2x in 1996) and Gary Clark (1981, 1983) each went for three receiving scores twice.

KHALID VENTURES TO FOURTH ON RUSHING LIST
Khalid Abdullah continued his rise on the career rushing charts, moving into the No. 4 spot on JMU's all-time rushing yards list. Adding in his 97 yards, he passed Curtis Keaton for fourth all-time, and he now stands at 2,820 yards. Abdullah also moved into a tie for third in rushing touchdowns (31), into a tie for second for total touchdowns (34) and into a tie for sixth in scoring (204).

PHOTO OF THE GAME - VIEW THE FULL GALLERY

Khalid Abdullah celebrates after scoring the Duke touchdown of the game.

TWEETS OF THE GAME

President James Madison would be proud. pic.twitter.com/VVBhgH8vb8
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) October 29, 2016

https://t.co/16Wn15U50n
— JMUSports (@JMUSports) October 29, 2016

SCHOR TAKES THE PASSING TORCH
Reigning CAA Player of the Year Vad Lee set multiple records in his two years at JMU in 2014 and 2015, but now in his first year as the starter, Bryan Schor has taken the ball and become one of the nation's most efficient passers. In Saturday's win, Schor broke Lee's record for completion percentage, going 21-for-22 (95%). He tied Lee and former quarterback Michael Birdsong with his five touchdown tosses as well. This season, Schor has thrown for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 71 percent of his passes. Schor has run for 434 additional yards with eight scores.

BALL HAWKS HAVE A DAY
JMU's defense did something you don't see often: have more catches than the opposing team. The Dukes made five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and held Rhode Island's Jordan Vazzano to just 4-for-25 passing for 12 yards. Raven Greene had two interceptions, including his 24-yard, pick-six. Marcell Johnson had a 32-yard return for a score off his interception, while Pat Kagel recorded his first career pick in the fourth. Jimmy Moreland made his second interception of the year in the third. The Dukes are now tied for the CAA lead with 13 interceptions in 2016.

UP NEXT
JMU hits the road next Saturday, Oct. 29 to face sixth-ranked Richmond at Robins Stadium. The Spiders are coming off a bye and enter next weekend's showdown with a 7-1 overall record and 4-1 mark in CAA play.