Dukes win fourth straight game

Matthew Stoss / senior photographer Redshirt sophomore tailback Maurice Fenner gives a stiff-arm during JMU's 26-20 victory over the University of Richmond Staurday. Fenner rushed for 139 yards.

The Dukes entered their Saturday afternoon contest with the University of Richmond Spiders needing a win to stay tied for first in the Atlantic 10 South with the University of Delaware Blue Hens.

A punishing effort from the offensive line and a shoestring tackle by redshirt freshman free safety Tony LeZotte in the third quarter gave JMU that victory, as the Dukes defeated the Spiders on the road for the first time since 1996, 26-20 at the University of Richmond Stadium.

"The offensive line established itself," coach Mickey Matthews said. "We wore them down in the last seven or eight minutes of the game."

Redshirt sophomore tailback Maurice Fenner was the beneficiary of JMU’s productive offensive line. He finished the game with 139 yards on 21 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown run with 2:20 to go in the fourth quarter to give the Dukes a 26-17 advantage.

Fenner said the plan from the beginning was to attack Richmond’s defensive front.

"We came into the game wanting to run the ball as much as we could," Fenner said. "We wanted to try and pound them."

Matthews agreed, saying the play of his offensive line made it possible to wear down Richmond’s run defense.

"We were running two plays and they just couldn’t stop us," Matthews said.

LeZotte’s big play took place with just over three minutes to go in the third quarter and the Dukes up 19-7. On third and goal from the JMU 4-yard line, Richmond tailback David Freeman took a pitch running right, toward the corner of the end zone. LeZotte’s diving tackle took Freeman down at the 3-yard line. The Spiders were forced to settle for a field goal.

"The coaches put me in the right position to make a play and I did," LeZotte said. "I think it was a big play. I don’t know if it was game-changing, but it was big."

JMU redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin Rascati’s 65-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Ardon Bransford on the previous possession had given the Dukes their 19-7 cushion. It was a play designed to take advantage of Richmond’s aggressive defense.

"We faked our bubble screen out there," Matthews said. "Ardon usually goes to block and he just went down the field. Richmond was overplaying that play."

Rascati said, "It’s a little Z in-and-go and they were biting on it with their safety. We just executed it and scored."

JMU had taken control of the game early with a 32-yard field goal from sophomore place kicker David Rabil and an 8-yard touchdown run from redshirt junior tailback Raymond Hines.

The Dukes led 9-0 with six seconds left in the first half when Richmond quarterback Stacy Tutt threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Arman Shields, cutting the JMU lead to 9-7.

Down 19-10, the Spiders would make a final upset bid when Tutt hit Shields again with 11 minutes left in the game, pulling the Spiders to within two.

Richmond however, would not get any closer as Fenner’s touchdown run sealed the win for the Dukes.
"This was a typical JMU/Richmond game," Matthews said. "It was very hard-fought, and everyone competed."

With the win, the Dukes return home having won four straight games for the first time since 1999.

"It’s always good to play at home," Rascati said. "We have some big games coming up. We have to keep working hard and keep our heads level and not be satisfied."

JMU takes on Virginia Military Institute (0-8) Saturday at 3 p.m.

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