No. 2 JMU Travels Across the State Saturday to Face Norfolk State

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Second-ranked James Madison will travel east to face in-state foe Norfolk State on Saturday, Sept. 8 for its second straight road game to open the season.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at William "Dick" Price Stadium and will be streamed on either ESPN+ or ESPN3. It can also be seen on WatchESPN and the ESPN App and can be heard on the JMU/Sprint Broadcast Network, with pregame coverage beginning at 5 p.m. Should the game be broadcast on ESPN+, it will require a subscription to view.

The 2018 JMU football season is presented by CarMax.

FAN & PRESS LUNCHEON

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the second meeting between the Dukes and Spartans. JMU picked up a convincing 75-14 win just one season ago in the teams' inaugural meeting. This marked the third time under Head Coach Mike Houston that JMU scored over 70 points.

JMU amassed 472 rushing yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Trai Sharp ran for 130 yards and a touchdown on just nine touches (14.4 avg.) and Percy Agyei-Obese rushed for 103 and a score in his collegiate debut. NSU was held to just 91 yards and 1.9 yard per play, marking the largest margin of total offense between two teams in JMU history.

DUKES FALL IN OPENER
The Dukes fell to ACC foe NC State 24-13 in their season opener last weekend. After leading 7-0 following the first quarter, both squads battled the entire game until the Wolfpack scored a touchdown with 65 seconds left to play to seal the win. It marked the first time since 2014 that JMU opened the season with a setback.

In his JMU debut, Ben DiNucci had a FCS-best 85.2 completion percentage, throwing 23-of-27 for 197 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team with 79 rushing yards on 14 carries (5.6 avg.). Riley Stapleton posted a career-high nine catches, tallying 88 receiving yards and a score.

ACTIVE WIN STREAKS
Despite falling in the 2018 season opener at NC State, JMU still has a few win streaks still intact entering this week.

• 10 straight true road wins against FCS teams
• Five consecutive wins against Virginia teams
• CAA-record 18 straight conference wins (previous record - Richmond 17)
• 17 straight wins at Bridgeforth Stadium

SCOUTING NORFOLK STATE
The Spartans boosted their record to 1-0 after downing Virginia State 34-13 last weekend, using a 24-6 run in the second half to pull away. NSU out-gained VSU 368-267, which included a 154-82 advantage in the run game.

Aaron Savage tied his career high with 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Craig Rodwell was named MEAC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week following the win.

Last season, the Spartans, who were selected to finish sixth in the 10-team MEAC, closed out 2017 with a 4-7 overall record. Head Coach Latrell Scott is in his fourth year at NSU and holds a 13-21 record. He previously was a head coach at Virginia State and Richmond, and spent one season as an assistant at JMU, in 2012.

JMU VS. IN-STATE SQUADS
The Dukes have faced 15 teams from the Commonwealth since the football program began in 1972. In the 125 games played, JMU has notched an 84-61 record, facing William & Mary more than any other state team - the Dukes hold the 23-17 advantage in the series. JMU is also 17-18 versus Richmond and 12-6 against Liberty.

JMU SPRINT BROADCAST NETWORK
All 11 regular-season games, as well as any postseason matchups can be heard online on the JMU/Sprint Broadcast Network or on airwaves at WSVA 550AM and 92.1 FM. Dave Thomas is in his fourth season as the play-by-play man for the Dukes and is joined by Clint Estes on color commentary. The pregame show begins this Saturday at 5 p.m., ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will host Robert Morris at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field for their first home game of the 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.

The game will be televised on NBC Washington Plus and streamed on MadiZONE HD Sportsnet.

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