JMU Shuts Out Morehead State, 52-0, in 2020-21 Opener

Saturday, February 20

Harrisonburg, Va.

Noon

James Madison University

1-0

Morehead State

0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Morehead State

James Madison

2/20/2021 4:24:00 PM | Football

Box Score Press Conference Highlights Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Fourth-ranked James Madison football ran all over Zane Showker Field, accumulating more than 350 rushing yards and six scores on the ground, en route to a 52-0 season-opening victory against Morehead State on Saturday afternoon at Bridgeforth Stadium.

The Dukes moved to 1-0, playing in the program's first-ever, regular-season spring game, while the Eagles fell to 0-1. JMU moved to 8-2 all-time against MSU, having now won five straight in the series.

JMU dominated the ground game, rushing for 369 yards. Four different backs ran for more than 60 yards and scored touchdowns. Percy Agyei-Obese tallied a game-high 116 yards and a touchdown, Solomon Vanhorse had 82 yards and a score on just five carries, while both Latrele Palmer (90) and Jawon Hamilton (68) found the endzone twice.

Cole Johnson was 10-of-14 for 147 yards and a touchdown, connecting on a 52-yard pass to Kris Thornton for his first passing score of the year. Thornton finished the game with three catches for a game-high 90 yards and the score. JMU's quarterbacks found 10 different pass catchers in the game.

Defensively, Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey led the way with a team- and career-high eight tackles with a tackle for loss. Mike Greene tallied five tackles with a pair for loss and a sack. Wayne Davis and Que Reid each nabbed interceptions, leading to a +1 turnover ratio. Three other Dukes recorded sacks in Mateo Jackson, Mikail Kamara and Sean Johns.

JMU opened each half with the hot hand on offense, scoring touchdowns on its first three drives while opening the second half with three touchdowns and a field goal. Morehead State was forced into six three-and-outs by JMU's defense.

GAME FACTS

Today marked the JMU's 28th shutout in program history, as it has blanked an opponent in four straight seasons.
JMU out-gained Morehead State, 556-98 on the afternoon.
The rushing differential was massive, as JMU ran for 386 yards, as opposed to MSU's negative six. It also had 6.4 yards per carry, holding MSU to -0.2 per run.
The Dukes went 9-for-13 on third down while holding the Eagles to a 5-of-16 clip.
JMU made 12 tackles for loss, while MSU tallied three.
The Dukes scored on all six red-zone trips while MSU never made it inside the JMU 20.
JMU also thwarted MSU's only real scoring chance on a Tony Thurston blocked field goal.
Morehead State was led by DeAndre Clayton, who came in to throw 7-of-9 for 71 passing yards and an interception.

PRESS CONFERENCE

RATKE TOP 20 IN FCS HISTORY

Ethan Ratke's fourth-quarter field goal was the 59th of his career, which ties him for second all-time in CAA history.
He's tied with William & Mary's Greg Kuehn (2002-05).
Ratke also moved into the FCS top 20, as he's tied for 16^th in career field goals.

UP NEXT
JMU stays at home to host Robert Morris next Saturday, Feb. 27. Kickoff is set for noon at Bridgeforth Stadium and will be televised on NBC Sports Washington Plus.