JMU Dukes Rush Past Norfolk State, 75-14, in Non-Conference Finale

HARRISONBURG, Virginia -- Top-ranked James Madison bulldozed its way to over 400 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground en route to a dominant 75-14 victory against Norfolk State in its football non-conference finale on Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.

The Dukes (3-0) amassed 472 rushing yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. They were led by junior running back Trai Sharp who ran for 130 yards and a touchdown on just nine touches (14.4 ypc) and freshman Percy Agyei-Obese, who finished with 103 yards and a score in his first career game. Three other Dukes ran for over 50 yards in junior Marcus Marshall (64 yards, 2 TD), redshirt senior Cardon Johnson (57 yards) and senior Bryan Schor (54 yards, TD).



QUICK HITS

JMU gained 728 yards of total offense, which was just one yard shy of the program-record 729 yards gained back on Sept. 26, 2015 at FBS-foe SMU.
The Dukes limited the Spartans to only 91 yards of offense, marking the largest margin of total offense difference between two teams in JMU's 46-year history.
The team had six different players score rushing touchdowns, led by Marshall's two.
The Dukes scored 35 points in the second quarter, tying the program mark for most points in a single quarter.
Schor passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, while Cole Johnson had 99 passing yards and a touchdown.
Two freshmen Dukes scored first career touchdowns in tight end Clayton Cheatham (rec. TD) and Agyei-Obese (rush TD).
Dukes had a pair of points in special teams when Bryce Maginley blocked a punt in the end zone, resulting in a safety.

BOX SCORE

DEFENSE COMES UP BIG ONCE AGAIN
The Dukes' defense had another sterling afternoon, holding Norfolk State to just 91 total yards of offense, 28 of which came in the final quarter, and without an offensive touchdown. JMU surrendered just 1.9 yards per play and only allowed the Spartans to cross midfield on three offensive drives.

view full photo gallery

3-0 START FOR THE DUKES

• Fifth time in school history JMU starts a season 3-0
• First time since 2015 when the Dukes began 7-0 - program best start to a year
• Win extended JMU's D1-leading win streak to 15 straight games, which is just two shy of Richmond's CAA-record 17 straight (2008-09)

OFFENSE GOES OVER 70

• Most points since scoring 84 against Rhode Island back on Oct. 29, 2016
• This is the third time JMU has scored more than 70 points under Head Coach Mike Houston
• Also the eighth game since start of 2016 going over 50 points

UP NEXT
JMU opens Colonial Athletic Association play next Saturday, Sept. 23 when it hosts Maine for Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Stadium.

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS