Dukes Return to CAA Play Saturday with Trip to #25 New Hampshire

HARRISONBURG, Va. – #3 James Madison is back in action after an open week, as it travels to Durham, N.H., on Saturday, Oct. 2 to face #25 New Hampshire in game four of its 50th season.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium and will be televised on NBC Sports Boston while being streamed on FloFootball. The game can be heard on the Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m.

The 2021 season is sponsored by CarMax.

#3 James Madison (3-0, 1-0 CAA) at #25 New Hampshire (3-1, 2-0 CAA)
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Durham, N.H. | Wildcat Stadium

Game Information
Television: NBC Sports Boston
Online: FloFootball ($)
Radio: WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network
Live Stats
JMU Game Notes

BREAKING DOWN THE SERIES

Saturday marks the 21st meeting between the teams, with JMU holding a narrow 11-9 lead.
The series dates back to 1982 and resumed fairly regularly when the two became conference foes in 1993.
JMU has won four of the last five matchups, dating back to 2016, and in league games alone, JMU is 9-7 against the Wildcats.
UNH leads the way in games played in Durham by a 6-4 margin, which includes a 35-24 win over the Dukes back on Nov. 3, 2018. The 'Cats have also won three of four at home versus JMU.
Adding in this Saturday, the Wildcats have been ranked nationally in 10 of last 11 games against JMU. The Dukes have been in the polls in each of the past 11 matchups with UNH, dating back to 2006.
All-time, JMU average 27.75 points per game, while UNH scores 24.15 per game in the series.

TOP SCORING OFFENSE IN DIVISION I

During the opening month of the 2021 college football season, JMU has had little problem finding the end zone.
In fact, the Dukes lead the FCS in scoring offense, tallying 53.3 points per game.
Taking it a step further, JMU also ranks first among all FBS, FCS and Division II programs.
In the entirety of the NCAA, the Dukes are seventh in scoring, as only six Division III teams score more points.
Through its first three games, JMU also ranks third nationally in completion percentage (71.6%) and pass efficiency (192.67 rating) and turnover margin (+2.33). The Dukes are also fifth in total offense (519.3) and seventh on third down (50%).

WELLS HAS CAREER DAY, HONORED BY CAA

Ethan Ratke has climbed the FCS kicking mountain, setting all-time records for career field goals (78) and scoring by a kicker (430).
Ratke broke the scoring record and tied the field goal mark in JMU's CAA opener vs. Maine on Sept. 11. The following week on Sept. 18, it was poetic that he set the new field goals record at Weber State.
He surpassed Montana's Dan Carpenter (2004-07), who held both records at 75 field goals and 413 points.
Ratke is also ninth in FCS history in scoring by any player, needing just 115 more points to claim that record.

CRUCIAL CAA STRETCH LOOMS

Saturday begins a four-game CAA stretch of nationally-ranked opponents, all of which were picked two through five in the league's predicted order of finish.
The Dukes begin the slate with #25 New Hampshire, which was picked fifth by the CAA's head coaches.
They return home Oct. 9 to host #12 Villanova (CAA preseason #3), followed by road trips to #22 Richmond (CAA preseason #4) and #9 Delaware (CAA preseason #2).
It also includes back-to-back games against teams coming off a bye in Villanova and Richmond.

JMU'S ACTIVE STREAKS

Out-gained opponents in 20 straight games
Out-rushed opponents in 11 straight games
Rushing touchdown in 11 straight games
Held opponents under 50% on 3rd in 11 straight
Ethan Ratke 24 straight games with a field goal
19 consecutive regular-season wins
14 straight wins vs. CAA teams, including playoffs
13 straight conference wins
12 straight home regular-season wins by 14+ points
19 straight wins at Bridgeforth Stadium

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television: NBC Sports Boston
Online: FloFootball ($)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network

On the radio – WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM
Online: www.wsvaonline.com

Broadcast Talent

Online: Brendan Glasheen (pxp), Mike Murphy (analyst)
Radio: Dave Riggert (pxp), Clint Estes (analyst)

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