#3 JMU Rallies in Fourth to Upend #25 New Hampshire, 23-21

Saturday, October 2

Durham, N.H.

3:30 p.m.

James Madison University

4-0 , 2-0

New Hampshire

3-2 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

James Madison

New Hampshire

#3 JMU Rallies in Fourth to Upend #25 New Hampshire, 23-21

10/2/2021 7:33:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.H. – Despite conceding a 10-point lead, #3 James Madison football used a Kris Thornton touchdown reception and a game-clinching interception by Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey in the fourth to fend off #25 New Hampshire, 23-21, on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

The Dukes improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Wildcats fell to 3-2 on the year and 2-1 in league action.

UNH took a 21-17 lead heading to the fourth quarter after scoring off three JMU turnovers. Facing a third-and-long, Cole Johnson found Kris Thornton on a 30-yard touchdown with 8:20 to play, giving the Dukes a 23-21 lead.

After teams traded drives, UNH's Bret Edwards was intercepted by Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey with 1:45 to go to seal the win.

Johnson finished 33-of-44 for 273 yards and three touchdowns with an interception and fumble. Thornton made a career-best 12 receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns, while Reggie Brown made four grabs for 37 yards and his first career touchdown. Thornton's 12 catches was the third-most in JMU single game history.

Antwane Wells Jr. also made six catches for the Dukes, and Latrele Palmer led the charge on the ground, rushing for 57 yards. Johnson also added 37 rushing yards.

Defensively, Kelvin Azanama made a team-best nine tackles while Wayne Davis tallied eight stops. Tucker-Dorsey finished with five tackles, to go with first career interception. Bryce Carter also finished with five stops and his first JMU sack.

JMU opened the game with a 10-0 lead before a fumble gave way to a UNH 93-yard fumble return for a touchdown to make it a three-point game. The Dukes extended the lead to 17-7 right before halftime on Johnson's pass to Brown with 17 seconds to go.

UNH completely changed the complexion of the game with two more takeaways in the third. Randall Harris picked off Johnson on JMU's first offensive play of the second half for a touchdown. UNH later scored after a sack and fumble on the ensuing drive to make it 21-17 midway through the quarter.

After a crucial third-down stop in the fourth, Johnson found Thornton once again on a 30-yard touchdown pass to put the Dukes back in front for good.

GAME NOTES

JMU out-gained UNH 432-162, including a 159-31 advantage on the ground. JMU also had a 273-131 lead through the air.
UNH forced JMU into its first three turnovers of the season, with the first two being returned for a touchdown. All three JMU turnovers eventually resulted in all 21 points for the Wildcats.
The Dukes were 12-of-20 on third down, while holding the Wildcats to 2-of-10. JMU also went 1-of-1 on fourth down.
JMU dominated first downs by a 28-11 margin.
For UNH, Edwards threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Carlos Washington Jr. had 43 rushing yards to lead the UNH offense.
JMU improved to 12-9 all-time against New Hampshire and 5-6 at Wildcat Stadium.
JMU has now out-gained opponents in 21 straight games and held opponents to under 50% on third down in 12 straight.
Ethan Ratke's second-quarter field goal extended his streak to 25 straight games with at least one make.
The Dukes also ran its conference win streak to 14 games and 15 total against CAA opponents (including the playoffs).

UP NEXT
JMU returns home to hosts #12 Villanova on Saturday, Oct. 9 for Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium and will be televised on NBC Sports Washington.