JMU stays undefeated in A-10

Dukes run over Pride, Rascati nearly perfect in 31-21 win

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer Redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin Rascati shakes a tackle during JMU's 31-21 victory over the Hoftra University Pride. Rascati was 19-22 for 188 yards and one touchdown pass.

The JMU football team rushed for 306 yards Saturday night en route to a 31-21 victory over the Hofstra University Pride at Bridgeforth Stadium.

The Dukes came into the game ranked No. 24 nationally in the Sports Network polls. The victory improved their record to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic 10.

After missing last week with a shoulder injury, redshirt sophomore running back Maurice Fenner rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Fenner admitted that he was a little surprised at how many times his number was called.

"I thought it would be a little more balanced [running and passing]," Fenner said. "As the game went on though, I realized that we were going to run the ball more and more."

Not to be outdone by his backfield counterpart, redshirt sophomore running back Alvin Banks also topped the century mark. Banks gained 120 yards on 19 carries for his third 100-yard performance of the season. Banks had carried the ball 30 times last week against West Virginia University and said having Fenner in the lineup kept him fresh against the Pride.

"It helped having Maurice back this week," Banks said. "It felt good to get that one breather and take a few plays off."

Hofstra was playing without star quarterback Bobby Seck, who sat out with a knee injury. In his place, sophomore Anton Clarkson took control of the No. 1 passing offense in I-AA football.

Midway through the first quarter a Hofstra fumble at the JMU 25-yard line gave the Dukes the ball. Fenner gained 38 yards on back-to-back carries to start the drive, giving Hofstra a sign of things to come. Fenner then finished what he started with a four-yard touchdown run to put the Dukes up 7-0 with 3:07 left in the quarter.

After Hofstra tied the game early in the second quarter, the Dukes scored with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin Rascati’s seven-yard scramble gave the Dukes an important first down. Rascati capped the drive throwing a six-yard touchdown pass to redshirt senior fullback Chris Iorio, giving the Dukes a 14-7 advantage at halftime.

After the game, coach Mickey Matthews joked about his quarterback’s athletic ability.

"I was surprised at how well he scrambled," Matthews said.

Rascati finished with 188 yards passing. He completed 19 of his 22 attempts and was 8 for 8 in the second half.

Matthews praised Rascati’s performance, but still said that he expects to play redshirt senior Matt LeZotte as well.

"We’re going to continue to play both quarterbacks," Matthews said. "I just felt that Justin got into a rhythm today."

After Fenner scored his third touchdown to put JMU up 28-14 in the fourth quarter, junior cornerback Clint Kent recovered a "pooch kick" to give the Dukes the ball back. Sophomore placekicker David Rabil then put the game away with a 34-yard field goal that made the score 31-14. Hofstra scored a meaningless touchdown with 4:25 left to make the final score 31-21.

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