Looking to extend its stay as the number one team in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), James Madison routed Hofstra this weekend, 56-0. For the fourth week in a row, JMU quarterback Rodney Landers rushed for over 100 yards and collected four touchdowns.
The Dukes (5-1, 3-0 Colonial Athletic Association) continued their romp by running the ball down the opposition's throat, but the Dukes also found success through the air this week. JMU's eight complete passes accounted for 96 yards but three were caught for touchdowns. The Dukes totaled 375 offensive yards.
At the other end of the field, Hofstra failed to cope with the superior JMU defense. Even though the Pride's (2-3, 1-1 CAA) offense possessed the ball for nearly eight minutes longer than the Dukes, they could not seem to find a leak.
Hofstra only made 1-of-15 third-down conversions and missed a field goal in their only trip to the red zone. The Pride totaled 195 yards and threw two interceptions, with one being returned for a touchdown.
James Madison will now travel this weekend to play No. 5 Richmond (4-2, 2-1 CAA), while Hofstra travels to play Bucknell (3-1).
Rhode Island rebounds
Following an unforgiving performance against No. 11 Boston College, Rhode Island bounced back, 37-13, over Brown, to get its second win of the season. The big part of this win was URI quarterback Derek Cassidy. With 298 passing yards and a career-high five touchdowns this week, Cassidy earned his first CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week award.
But the Rams' offense was the secondary effect of the impressive defensive performance. With 2-of-4 turnovers turning into offensive touchdowns, the defense set up Rhode Island for multiple opportunities to score. The Rams' special teams also proved a challenge for No. 25 Brown (2-1), as the Bears missed both of their field goal attempts, one of which was blocked.
URI will now prep itself to host Towson (2-4, 0-2 CAA) in a conference game this weekend.
Richmond rides defense over VMI
No. 6 Richmond's defense performed once again this week as it downed the Virginia Military Institute, 56-16. Although VMI (2-3) rushed for 267 yards, its passing game failed against the Spiders defense, as the Keydets did not complete a single pass and threw an interception. Richmond also converted two fumbles for touchdowns.
The Richmond offense took advantage of the weaker VMI defense and claimed 419 total yards with five rushing touchdowns. The Spiders also would score 28 unanswered points in the second half. Richmond looks to play James Madison this weekend.
Wildcats sneeks by Tribe
Although William & Mary's freshman Jonathan Grimes earned both the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week as well as the CAA Football Rookie of the Week, his performance wouldn't be enough to boost the Tribe to a victory. Villanova won, 38-28, with a strong offensive performance in the first half, but put up just a field goal in the second half.
William & Mary's next game will be against undefeated New Hampshire (5-0, 1-0 CAA) on Saturday and Villanova will travel to play Rhode Island.
Kyle Predki can be reached at kpredki@student.umass.edu.
Be the first to comment on this article!