Dukes Throttle Sam Houston State 65-7 to Advance to FCS Semis

Friday, December 9

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

12-1 , 8-0

Sam Houston State

12-1 , 9-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Sam Houston State	0	0	0	7	7
James Madison	21	21	23	0	65

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Dukes Throttle Sam Houston State 65-7 to Advance to FCS Semis

12/9/2016 11:18:00 PM | Football

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Fourth-seeded James Madison dominated in all three phases of the game, breaking numerous team playoff records, en route to a 65-7 victory against fifth-seeded Sam Houston State in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Friday night at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.

The Dukes (12-1) advanced to next weekend's national semifinal against the winner of Saturday's game featuring top-seeded North Dakota State and No. 8 South Dakota State, scheduled for noon on ESPN. Next week's semifinal will take place either Friday at 7 p.m. or Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with the higher seed hosting.

The Bearkats (12-1) were previously the only remaining unbeaten team in the FCS and ranked first in both major national polls over the final six weeks of the regular season. JMU's win also ended SHSU's bid for a third straight semifinal appearance, as the Dukes advanced to the semifinals for the third time in program history and first since 2008. It was the second-largest margin of victory in FCS playoff history, just behind Montana's 63-point win in 1996.

JMU outgained the nation's top-ranked offense 607-270, led by a rushing attack that gained 356 on the ground. The 607 was the most yards gained in its playoff history. Senior running back Khalid Abdullah ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns, tying his career high. Abdullah's 20 rushing scores on the year tied the Curtis Keaton's 1999 program record. Sophomore Trai Sharp had a career night, running for a game-best 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Bryan Schor was 13-of-17 for 251 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for another score, accumulating the majority of his numbers in the first half when JMU surged to a 42-0 lead at the break.

Defensively, the Dukes won the turnover battle scoring 14 points off three turnovers. Senior linebacker Gage Steele led the defense with 10 total tackles, including one and a half tackles for loss. The Dukes plagued the air game for the Bearkats with nine pass breakups and two interceptions. Sophomore corner Curtis Oliver and redshirt sophomore Jimmy Moreland each accounted for three pass breakups, while Oliver and redshirt junior Raven Greene each had picks.

JMU also found the end zone twice on special teams. Senior receiver Rashard Davis set the conference and program record with his fourth punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Dukes blocked a punt for a touchdown for the first time in over four years in the second, as a pair of Charlotte freshmen produced the score with Adam Smith's block and Bryce Maginley's 20-yard return, which gave them a 28-0 lead.

James Madison set a new program record for points scored in an FCS playoff contest, shattering the previous record of 55 that the Dukes set a week ago against New Hampshire. Sam Houston State's previous season low for points was 38 as the seven points for the Bearkats were also the fewest points allowed by JMU in a playoff contest. The Dukes held Lehigh and Furman to 13 points apiece during their 2004 national championship run. The 65-0 run to start the game was also the largest in team history.

PRESS CONFERENCE

TWEET OF THE GAME

Once a duke ALWAYS a duke. ?? #fcsplayoffs https://t.co/wBRXWeGCjS
— Dean Marlowe (@machine_marlowe) December 9, 2016

PHOTO OF GAME - VIEW FULL GALLERY

JMU's defense goes up 51-0 in the third after Holloway sacks Briscoe for a safety.

DEFENSE SHUTS DOWN 'KATS
Coming into Friday's contest as one of the top offensive powerhouses in the country, SHSU met the unstoppable force that is the JMU defense. The Dukes kept the Bearkats scoreless through the first three quarters of the game and the visitors were held to just 270 yards of total offense. SHSU struggled on third-down conversions as the Bearkats picked up two first downs on 19 attempts. SHSU quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, a finalist for the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award, came into Friday's contest with an FCS-record 57 touchdowns this season, which was one off the overall Division I record. JMU's defense kept him out of the end zone, as he went 13-for-44 on the night for just 143 yards. The JMU corners tallied two interceptions and was chomping at the bits for more with nine total pass breakups.

SEMIFINAL BOUND
For just the third time in program history, the Dukes have punched their ticket to the FCS Semifinals. James Madison is making its first semifinal appearance since 2008 when the Dukes fell to Montana 35-27. The Dukes lone semifinal victory came during the 2004 national championship run as JMU toppled Colonial Athletic Association foe William & Mary 48-34.

RECORD WATCH
Several Dukes moved up in the career charts with Friday's freeze out over the Bearkats. With three rushing touchdowns against SHSU, Khalid Abdullah now has 42 total touchdowns and is now just two away from setting a new program record. Abdullah also moved into third in career rushing yards with 3,397 total. With two receptions for 39 yards, Brandon Ravenel moves into second with 159 catches over his career. Raven Greene picked up his ninth career interception to move into a tie for ninth all-time at JMU. Bryan Schor jumped to ninth in passing yards as he improved his career total to 3,502.

UP NEXT
James Madison solidified a spot in the FCS Semifinals and will either travel to No. 1 North Dakota State or host No. 8 South Dakota State. Next week's semifinal will take place either Friday at 7 p.m. or Saturday at 6:30 p.m. as the semifinal schedule will be announced following Saturday's remaining quarterfinal contests.