Hines leads Dukes past Umass

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer Redshirt junior running back Raymond Hines ran for 123 yards and one touchdown in JMU's 28-7 win over UMass.

A scoreless first half closed with JMU’s redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin Rascati being sacked, forcing the Dukes to punt — but JMU would make amends in the second half.

Madison posted 21 unanswered points en route to a 28-7 victory over the University of Massachusetts before 15,321 at Bridgeforth Stadium.

"This win is huge," redshirt freshman free safety Tony LeZotte said. "We’re 4-1 and moving up in the rankings. I don’t see how we couldn’t. This win is big for the program."

Ranked No. 19 in The Sports Network poll, the Dukes defeated UMass for the first time in five years — the last time being 1997 when JMU knocked off the Minutemen 13-10 in Harrisonburg.

Saturday, the Dukes managed a bit more offense against the visiting Minutemen.

JMU struck first late in the third quarter on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Rascati. Rascati’s touchdown was set up by redshirt junior tailback Raymond Hines, who four plays earlier broke off a 61-yard run on 3rd and 3 to get JMU inside the UMass 20-yard line.

With that run, Hines doubled his season total in yards. Coming into Saturday’s contest, he had 60 yards rushing in 2004.

"That draw was big," Rascati said. "It put us inside the 20 and gave us a lot of momentum."

Hines had a career day in the absence of injured redshirt sophomore running back Alvin Banks. The 5-foot-9-inch, 175-pounder from Hyatsville, Md., dashed for 123 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown, averaging 10.2 yards a touch.

"I’m just trying to make the best out of my situation and step in for AB," Hines said. "I just want to do the best I can with my opportunities."

Hines’ touchdown came mid-fourth quarter. The Dukes got the ball on the Massachusetts 24 yard line when Tony LeZotte picked off UMass quarterback Tim Day. After a 15-yard run, Hines took a handoff up the middle 9 yards for the score to put JMU on top 21-0.

In between, Rascati picked up his second rushing touchdown of the day when UMass blitzed on 2nd and goal. He broke two tackles and danced his way 5 yards into the end zone.

"We didn’t draw those [runs] up," coach Mickey Matthews said. "Justin runs very athletic and competitive, but he’s taking too many sacks. Good quarterbacks don’t get sacked."

Rascati was sacked four times Saturday.

JMU added one more score in the closing minutes of the game when redshirt sophomore tailback Maurice Fenner bolted 25 yards for a touchdown to give JMU the final 28-7 advantage. Fenner finished with 85 yards on 22 carries.

UMass’ only score came with 4:59 to play when Day hit tight end Mike Douglas for a 2-yard touchdown pass.

The Minutemen had another opportunity to score early in the second quarter when they lined up for a short field goal, but it was blocked by senior wide safety Rodney McCarter. It was the first of two blocked kicks by the Dukes. The second came mid-fourth quarter when redshirt junior strong safety Bruce Johnson got a piece of a punt.

"I’ve never seen anyone who has such a knack for blocking kicks," Matthews said of McCarter. "He’s a threat to block every extra point."

With the win, the Dukes improve to 4-1 and a perfect 3-0 in the Atlantic 10. UMass falls to 2-4 and 0-3 in conference. Next week, JMU travels to take on the Black Bears of the University of Maine.

"We travel well and work hard," Rascati said. "But we’re not satisfied yet."