Dukes Host Maine Saturday for Heroes Day

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison gets set for game two of its 50th season of football, opening Colonial Athletic Association play on Saturday, Sept. 11 against Maine.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium and will be televised on NBC Sports Washington Plus and streamed on FloFootball. The game can be heard on the Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network, with pregame coverage beginning at 3 p.m.

Saturday will also be Heroes Day, as JMU honors active and retired military, first responders and essential frontline workers. The Marching Royal Dukes will have a special 9/11 tribute on field, honoring all heroes in attendance during halftime.

The 2021 season is sponsored by CarMax, and Saturday's game is presented by Pepsi.

#3 James Madison (1-0) vs. Maine (0-1)
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Bridgeforth Stadium | Bridgeforth Stadium

Game Information
TV: NBC Sports Washington Plus
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's opener marks the 19th meeting between the teams, with JMU hold a 13-5 series lead.
This is the first meeting between the teams since 2017.
JMU has won three straight in the series, with road wins in 2012 and 2016 and a home triumph in 2017.
It has also won eight of nine, with Maine's last win coming back on Oct. 8, 2011 in a 25-24 overtime victory at Bridgeforth Stadium.
The Dukes are 6-2 against Maine at home, while going 7-3 in Orono.
JMU has never scored more than 38 points against Maine, while the Black Bears have never scored above 28.
All-time in the series, JMU averages 22.8 points per game, while Maine scores 15.3 per contest.

JMU IN CAA OPENERS

JMU is in its 29th season as a member of CAA Football in 2021.
The Dukes are 20-8 in conference openers.
JMU has won six straight CAA openers, with Villanova being the last team to spoil a CAA opener for the Dukes in 2014.
The Dukes joined the CAA (formerly the Atlantic 10 and Yankee Conference) in 1993.

JMU-MAINE CONNECTION

Two JMU coaches and one student-athlete have previous ties to Maine.
Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman was with the Black Bears from 2015-18, serving as the DC for his final three seasons.
Cornerbacks coach Matt Birkett spent seven seasons at Maine, as he was with the program from 2012-18.
Jordan Swann, a cornerback for the Dukes, was with the Black Bears from 2018-20, playing in 17 career games.

RATKE NEARING FCS HISTORY

Ethan Ratke already owns the JMU and CAA career records for both field goals and scoring.
After week one, Ratke has converted 73 field goals and has scored 404 points, and he's nearing two national records.
He's one of just six players ever in the FCS with 70 or more field goals and he needs just three to become the all-time leader.
Dan Carpenter, who played 2004-07 at Montana, has 75 career field goals.
Ratke also ranks second in the FCS in career scoring by a kicker, as he needs just 10 points to surpass Carpenter's record of 413.
Amongst all players (kickers or non-kickers), Ratke ranks 15th in FCS history in scoring, as only 15 players at any position have reached 400 career points.

CELEBRATING 50 SEASONS

James Madison University began sponsoring football in 1972, as this fall marks the 50th season for the Dukes.
JMU will celebrate the 50th all season long, honoring specific decades at each home game.
This week, the Dukes honor the 1980's, which featured the program's first wins over FBS opponents and the first pro draft picks.
In week one, the Dukes recognized the 1972 team and remembered Dr. Challace McMillin, the first coach in program history, who passed away in 2020.
Other content, such as video features, alumni interviews, Throwback Thursdays and On This Date will highlight the history of JMU football.
JMU has won two national championships, nine conference titles and has made 17 postseason appearance.
All-time JMU is 339-218-4 for a .608 win percentage.