Fast Start Sets Tone in #1 JMU's 38-10 Win at William & Mary

Saturday, March 27

Williamsburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

4-0 , 2-0

William & Mary

1-2 , 1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

James Madison

William & Mary

Fast Start Sets Tone in #1 JMU's 38-10 Win at William & Mary

3/27/2021 5:36:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – #1 James Madison scored touchdowns on its first four drives and used a stout defensive effort en route to a 38-10 Colonial Athletic Association football victory at William & Mary on Saturday afternoon at Zable Stadium.

The Dukes improved to 4-0 on the year and 2-0 in CAA play while the Tribe fell to 1-2 overall and in the league standings.

JMU out-gained William & Mary by nearly 300 yards on the day, which included a strong day from quarterback Cole Johnson, who threw for 220 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-22 passing in less than three quarters of work.

Rookie running back Kaelon Black had a career outing, as he rushed for 141 yards and his first collegiate touchdown, averaging 7.4 yards on his 19 carries. Jawon Hamilton also rushed for 40 yards and two scores for his second multi-touchdown game of the season. JMU also got help on the ground in special teams, as holder Alex Miller took a fake punt seven yards for his first career touchdown, which put JMU up 21-0 after one.

In the passing game, Antwane Wells Jr. led all players with career highs of six receptions for 86 yards, including 42 yards after the catch. Kris Thornton made three grabs for 49 yards and Clayton Cheatham recorded two catches for 38 yards, scoring the game's first touchdown.

Defensively, Kelvin Azanama tallied a career-high 11 tackles (10 solo) with a sack and pass breakup. Que Reid made six stops with an interception, and Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey contributed five tackles and a TFL. Wayne Davis, Mikail Kamara and Abi Nwabuoku-Okonji each added sacks in the win.

JMU offense was clicking on all cylinders from the opening kickoff, as they scored three touchdowns in the first 15 minutes. Johnson found Cheatham on a six-yard pass to cap off a 13-play, 75-yard drive, giving JMU a 7-0 lead.

After another touchdown, in which Hamilton found the end zone for the first time, the Dukes forced an interception on the Tribe's first play of the ensuing drive, setting up Miller's fake field goal for a touchdown to lead 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Hamilton scored again to cap off an 81-yard drive, making it 28-0 late in the first half. The Dukes, leading 28-3 at the break, forced William & Mary into four consecutive three-and-outs to open the second half, and Black's 11-yard run late in the third made it 38-3. The Tribe added a late score for the final margin.

PRESS CONFERENCE

GAME FACTS

JMU out-gained William & Mary 460-187, which included a 240-59 advantage in the run game.
JMU limited the Tribe to just 2.2 yards per carry while gaining 5.2 per rush.
The Dukes had 24 first downs, as opposed to W&M's 10.
JMU controlled the time of possession by a margin of 35:23 to 24:37.
The Dukes were 9-of-14 on third down, while holding the Tribe to a 3-of-10 clip.
JMU cashed in on all five red-zone trips, all of which were touchdowns.
JMU had four sacks while not conceding one on the day and also held a 7-5 lead in tackles for loss.
Ethan Ratke tied the CAA all-time record for career field goals, as he converted a 42-yard kick in the third quarter for his 64th made field goal. He tied Towson's Aidan O'Neill (2016-19).

UP NEXT
JMU remains out on the road next week with a short trip to the capital city to take on #21 Richmond. The opening kickoff is set for noon at Robins Stadium and will be televised on NBC Sports Washington.