#2 Dukes Cruise Past Robert Morris 73-7 in Home Opener

Thursday, September 13

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

2-1

Robert Morris

1-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Robert Morris	0	0	0	7	7
James Madison	21	31	14	7	73

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9/13/2018 11:45:00 PM | Football

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Second-ranked James Madison exploded for 52 first-half points and gained 667 yards of offense en route to a decisive 73-7 home-opening victory against Robert Morris on Thursday night at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.

The Dukes improve to 2-1, utilizing 11 scoring drives to catapult past the Colonials, who fell to 1-2 on the year.

QUICK SUMMARY

Redshirt junior quarterback Ben DiNucci accounted for a career-high five total touchdowns in the first half, with three passing and two rushing. He was 14-of-17 for 184 yards and ran for 39 yards on seven carries.
A JMU record was set, as redshirt senior corner Jimmy Moreland picked off a pass and ran it back 20 yards for a touchdown. It was Moreland's 15th career interception, surpassing Raven Greene, who had 14. Coincidentally, both Moreland and Greene set the interceptions record with a pick-six.
JMU rushed for 386 yards as a team, with five players accounting for at least 40 yards. Senior Marcus Marshall led the way with six carries for 95 yards (15.8 avg.) and a touchdown, while also making a 39-yard touchdown reception to open the scoring. His 81-yard scamper to open the second-half scoring was the second-longest run of his career and tied for 10th longest in school history.
Sophomore Percy Agyei-Obese had five rushes for 93 yards (18.6 avg.), which included an 80-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Also finding the end zone on the ground were redshirt sophomores Jawon Hamilton and Eric Kirlew – their first career scores with the Dukes.
Redshirt junior receiver Riley Stapleton reeled in a game-high seven receptions for 67 yards and a score, which was one better than the entire RMU team, which had six catches. Redshirt freshman Kyndel Dean also scored his first career touchdown on a 15-yard catch in the first.
The Dukes scored on 10 of their 11 first drives to take a commanding 66-0 lead in the third quarter. JMU's 66-point win was the fifth largest in school history.
In addition to Moreland's interception, two players recorded their first career interceptions, as junior safety Adam Smith tallied his in the second and freshman defensive lineman Drew Painter came up with his first late in the fourth.

HITTING THE HIGHS

Multiple Dukes registered career firsts and highs in the home opening win.
DiNucci had career highs in passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns – all in the first half.
Redshirt junior tight end Mack Cullen caught a career-long 23-yard pass.
Both redshirt sophomore Jake Brown and freshman Devin Ravenel reeled in their first career receptions and both Dean and Kirlew found the end zone for the first time as collegians.
Smith and Painter each snagged their first career interceptions for JMU and junior defensive lineman John Daka had a career-best 2.0 tackles for loss.
Redshirt sophomore safety D'Angelo Amos made a career-best eight tackles, while Daka matched his best, with six.

OTHER GAME NOTES

Following a stellar first half, JMU led in both rushing yards (207-42) and passing yards (184-40).
With 52 first-half points, JMU tied the program record for most points in a half. The previous record was set against Morehead State in the 2016 season opener.
JMU's 73 is the most points ever allowed by Robert Morris and the fifth-most ever produced by the Dukes.
Five Dukes ran in touchdowns in tonight's victory, while eight total players made it to the end zone.
Head Coach Mike Houston has led JMU to four of its five top-scoring performances since his hire before the 2016 season.
JMU outgained RMU in total offense by a margin of 667 to 223.
The Dukes successfully completed their first fourth-down conversion of the season – the lone conversion of the night.
JMU had three interceptions, spanning 43 yards on returns, while RMU did not produce a single interception. RMU's lone takeaway came on a fourth-quarter fumble.

PRESS CONFERENCE

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UP NEXT
The Dukes open up Colonial Athletic Association play next Saturday, Sept. 22 against William & Mary. Kickoff for the game, presented by Sprint, is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised regionally on NBC Sports Washington Plus.