Dukes Open 2021 Season Ranked #2 in Stats Perform FCS Top 25

CHICAGO, Ill. – James Madison will open the 2021 football season ranked #2 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, the organization announced Monday.

The Dukes received eight of 50 first-place votes to hold the second spot. Defending national champion Sam Houston opens the year ranked #1 after reeling in 39 first-place tallies. South Dakota State was third and had three first-place votes. Rounding out the top five were North Dakota State and Delaware.

JMU finished the 2020-21 season with a 7-1 overall mark and 3-0 record in Colonial Athletic Association play, sharing the conference title with Delaware. The Dukes advanced to the FCS semifinals for the fourth time in five years and have made the postseason in seven straight seasons.

The Dukes return most of its roster from last spring's squad, including Preseason All-Americans Percy Agyei-Obese, Kyle Davis, Liam Fornadel, Mike Greene and Ethan Ratke.

JMU ranked in the top 10 nationally in 10 different statistical categories last year, including second on fourth-down conversions (.857), third in rushing defense (72.4), fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in rushing offense (232.6), yards per completion (14.82), time of possession (34:20) and pass efficiency defense (100.74), seventh in pass efficiency offense (156.28), eighth in scoring defense (16.5) and 10th on third-down conversions (.484).

The CAA had three teams ranked, as joining JMU and UD was #16 Villanova. Also receiving votes were Richmond, New Hampshire, Albany and Rhode Island.

JMU opens the 2021 season, presented by CarMax on Saturday, Sept. 4 when it hosts Morehead State. Kickoff from Bridgeforth Stadium is set for a 6 p.m. start.

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