Dukes Drop Road Contest at New Hampshire

Saturday, November 3

Durham, N.H.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

New Hampshire

11/3/2018 4:48:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.H. – New Hampshire forced six turnovers, returning two first-half interceptions for a touchdown and third-ranked James Madison was unable to overcome the deficit, falling 35-24 on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

The Wildcats won for the second straight week, improving to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Dukes fell to 6-3 and 4-2. The loss snapped JMU's 13-game win streak in true road games against FCS opponents, as well as its 11-game win streak in CAA road matchups.

QUICK HITS

JMU threw a season-high four interceptions, allowing multiple defensive touchdowns for the first time since 2002.
JMU out-gained UNH 486-315, but the Wildcats had a plus-six turnover margin, producing four picks and two fumble recoveries.
JMU did outscore the Wildcats 21-14 in the second half, including 14-0 over the final 9:21.
UNH's Trevor Knight passed for 181 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 76 yards and one score to lead the offense.
The Wildcats scored two of their three first-half touchdowns on a pick-six. Rick Ellison had a 44-yard interception for a touchdown just over four minutes into the game, and Evan Horn had a 75-yard score early in the second to give UNH a 21-3 lead.
Junior quarterback Cole Johnson was 31-of-48 for a career-high 398 yards, as he replaced junior Ben DiNucci in the first quarter.
Johnson's passing total was the third highest in school history, trailing only Vad Lee's 433 and 406 back in 2014. He also added a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown.
Redshirt junior receiver Riley Stapleton made a game-high eight catches for 116 yards, redshirt freshman Kyndel Dean tied his career high with six receptions for 77 yards and senior David Eldridge had four grabs for a season-best 84 yards.
JMU's running backs found the end zone twice in the second half, as graduate Cardon Johnson scored from a yard out in the third and senior Trai Sharp added a two-yard score in the fourth.
Defensively, JMU was led by redshirt junior linebacker Dimitri Holloway, who had 11 tackles and one for loss. Junior defensive lineman John Daka added eight tackles and a sack.

UP NEXT
JMU returns home next Saturday, Nov. 10 to face Rhode Island. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, and the Dukes will honor their 11 seniors prior to kickoff.