JMU Heads North to Face Blue Hens Saturday

Saturday, October 23

Newark, Del.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

Delaware

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10/20/2021 11:30:00 AM | Football

HARRISONBURG, Va. – #7 James Madison is back on the road again this week for game #7 of its 50th season in a crucial Colonial Athletic Association football matchup at #23 Delaware on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Delaware Stadium and will be televised on NBC Sports Philadelphia while being streamed on FloFootball. The game can be heard on the Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network, with pregame coverage beginning at 2 p.m.

The 2021 JMU football season is presented by CarMax.

#7 James Madison (5-1, 3-1 CAA) at #23 Delaware (3-3, 2-2 CAA)
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Newark, Del. | Delaware Stadium

Game Information
Television: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Online: FloFootball ($)
Radio: WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network
Live Stats
JMU Game Notes

BREAKING DOWN THE SERIES

Saturday marks the 27th meeting all-time between the teams, with Delaware leading 14-12 in a series dating back to the 1983 season.
JMU has won four straight matchups against the Blue Hens since 2015, with three regular season wins and one postseason win.
The two haven't met since the 2018 FCS First Round and Saturday marks the first regular-season meeting since 2017.
JMU is 5-8 all-time in games played at Delaware Stadium, having won the previous two trips in 2015 (24-21) and 2017 (20-10).
No team has won more than four in a row in the series, as Delaware also claimed four straight from 1995-98.
The all-time scoring margin is also very close with Delaware averaging 24.1 points, as opposed to JMU's 23.5.
During JMU's four-game series win streak, the Dukes have outscored UD by an average of 26.75 to 14.25.
Last time the teams met, JMU limited the Hens to just 185 total yards while registering 10 tackles for loss with two interceptions en route to a 20-6 FCS First Round victory.

DUKES SHUT DOWN SPIDERS FOR ROAD TRIUMPH

James Madison's defense stifled the Richmond offense, holding the Spiders to just 188 total yards with three trips across midfield, as the Dukes cruised to a 19-3 win on the road last week.
JMU tallied a season-best six sacks, with two each from Bryce Carter and Tony Thurston, while Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey recorded his second straight 10-tackle performance.
Cole Johnson threw for 270 yards and a touchdowns, while Antwane Wells Jr. has six grabs for 125 yards in his homecoming to Richmond.
Ethan Ratke kicked four field goals and adding in his extra point, he led all scorers with 13 points.
It was JMU's sixth straight win over the Spiders, as it has held UR without a touchdown in three straight meetings. Over Richmond's last nine drives, it only gained 64 total yards.

ETHAN RATKE HONORED BY CAA ONCE AGAIN

For the second time in 2021, Ethan Ratke was named CAA Special Teams Player of the Week.
He tied his career high and the JMU single-game record with four field goals to up his FCS record to 85 made kicks.
Ratke, who's made a field goal in 27 straight games, ranks 5th in FCS history among all players with 457 points.

WELLS & THORNTON - PLAYMAKERS

JMU receivers Antwane Wells Jr. and Kris Thornton have become one of the CAA's top 1-2 punches in the passing game.
Through six weeks, duo ranks first and second in receptions per game, as Thornton has 7.5 catches per game and Wells Jr. has 6.0.
Wells Jr. also leads the CAA with 87.0 receiving yards per game, while Thornton is third, at 77.33.
The two are also top five in touchdowns, as Wells has five (3rd) and Thornton has four (5th).

DOMINANCE ON THIRD DOWN

JMU boasts one of the nation's top defenses, and its ability to get off the field on third down has been crucial in recent years.
This season, the Dukes lead the CAA and rank 3rd nationally on third-down defense (22.5%).
No team has converted more than four third downs in a game, with Morehead State and Weber State having the highest percentage, at 4/14 (28.6%).
JMU has held its opponents to under 50% on third down in 14 straight games, dating back to the season opener last spring.
North Dakota State was right at 50% in the 2019 national title game, and no team has been over 50% in 42 straight games.
The last team to do so was in the 2018 season opener, when NC State was 11/16.
JMU has not allowed an FCS team over 50% in the past 55 games against the subdivision, with Richmond in 2016 being the last squad to achieve the feat, at 7/12.