#2 Dukes Pull Away in Second Half for 36-16 Win Over Robert Morris

Saturday, February 27

Harrisonburg, Va.

Noon

James Madison University

2-0

Robert Morris

0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Robert Morris

James Madison

#2 Dukes Pull Away in Second Half for 36-16 Win Over Robert Morris

2/27/2021 5:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights Press Conference Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Second-ranked James Madison reeled off 27 unanswered points and clamped down defensively, holding Robert Morris scoreless in the second half, en route to a 36-16 non-conference football victory on Saturday afternoon at Bridgeforth Stadium.

The Dukes improved to 2-0 while the Colonials fell to 0-1. JMU also moved to 2-0 in the all-time series.

After allowing 163 yards and 4.4 per play in the first half, JMU's defense took over, allowing just 24 second-half yards, as RMU mustered just a single yard per snap over the final 30 minutes.

The Dukes tied the game just before halftime and tacked on another score to take the lead, at 23-16 with 10:41 to play in the third. JMU would go on to score on four of six drives to open the second half to pull away.

Percy Agyei-Obese ran for 55 yards and two touchdowns, while Jawon Hamilton led all players with 74 rushing yards, averaging 8.2 per carry. Kris Thornton found the endzone once again this week, reeling in five catches for 65 yards and a score. Antwane Wells Jr. also caught his first career touchdown, which tied the game just before the half. Cole Johnson was 17-of-24 for 198 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Defensively, Kelvin Azanama and Wayne Davis led the Dukes with eight tackles apiece. It was a career high for Azanama, while Davis matched his career best. MJ Hampton was active all over the field, accruing seven tackles with a career-high 1.5 for loss, while also forcing and recovering a key fumble in the second half. JMU transfers Abi Nwabuoku-Okonji and Mason Cholewa each turned in their first sacks at JMU as part of the stout effort in the second half.

GAME FACTS

JMU out-gained Robert Morris 394 to 187, which included a dominant 209 to 24 margin in the second half.
The Dukes limited RMU to just 22 rushing yards and 0.7 per carry. Through two games, JMU has conceded 16 total rushing yards after Morehead State had -6 in week one.
JMU allowed just one third-down conversion, as RMU went 1-for-13. The Dukes were 4-of-11 on third-down tries.
Harry O'Kelly shined on special teams, averaging 48.5 yards on his four punts, which included pinning the Colonials inside the 2-yard line twice. All four of his punts were inside the 20. His first punt, downed at the one, led to an eventual safety.
The teams were perfect in the red zone, as JMU was 4-for-4 (2 TD) and RMU was 2-for-2 (1 TD).
For RMU, George Martin threw for 165 yards and a touchdown, with D'Andre Hicks making eight catches for 67 yards. Aniello Buzzacco led all players with 15 tackles.

PRESS CONFERENCE

RATKE SLIDES INTO SECOND IN CAA HISTORY

Ethan Ratke made a pair of field goals, moving into second place all-time in CAA history with 61 field goals. He is just four shy of becoming the league's all-time field goal leader.
He also ranks tied for 14th in FCS history in the category, as he matched Weber State's Trey Tuttle (2017-19).
His 10 points today also moved him into 19th in career points by FCS kickers, as he sits at 339.

UP NEXT
JMU hits the road for the first time in 2020-21 next Saturday, as it opens Colonial Athletic Association play at Elon. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium and will be streamed on FloFootball.