Dukes Rank #3 in Media Poll Following Top-10 Road Victory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Sept. 20, 2021

Dukes Rank #3 in Media Poll Following Top-10 Road Victory

CHICAGO – James Madison strengthened its #3 ranking in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 following its first win both on the road and against a ranked opponent.

The Dukes moved to 3-0 on the year following an impressive 37-24 win at then-#9 Weber State this past Saturday.

Cole Johnson threw for two touchdowns to Antwane Wells Jr. and rushed for another. JMU's defense produced another touchdown again last week on a Josh Sarratt 88-yard fumble return. FCS history was made, as Ethan Ratke converted three field goals to break the all-time field goals record (78). The Dukes led by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter.

After three games, JMU leads the country in scoring average (53.3) while ranking 13th in scoring defense (13.7).

The Dukes are also third in tackles for loss per game (10.7), fourth in rushing defense (36.7) and turnover margin (+2.33), fifth in completion percentage (71.6%), seventh in total offense per game (519.3), eighth in third-down defense (27%) and ninth in both total defense per game (238.7) and third-down offense (50%).

Sam Houston (2-0) remained #1 in the poll, receiving 31 first-place votes. South Dakota State (3-0) narrowly held on to the #2 spot, with eight first-place votes, while JMU was only five points behind at #3 after gaining nine first-place votes. Following the top three were #4 Montana (2-0) and #5 North Dakota State (3-0).

JMU was one of five Colonial Athletic Association schools to be ranked by Stats Perform. The Dukes were joined by #8 Delaware (2-1), #11 Villanova (3-0), #21 New Hampshire (3-0) and #24 Richmond (2-1). Rhode Island also received votes.

The Dukes also stayed at #2 in the newest AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 poll, earning three first-place votes of the 28 voters.

JMU is off this week and returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 with a trip to Durham, N.H., to take on #21 New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium and will be streamed on FloFootball.

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