Football Forces Six Turnovers, But Slips 42-28 At #12 JMU
GAME STATS
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Forcing six turnovers for the second straight game, including a program-record five interceptions, the University at Albany football team startled No. 12 James Madison Saturday afternoon at Bridgeforth Stadium, but in the end succumbed to a 42-28 defeat. With the loss, the Great Danes fell to 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in the CAA, while the Dukes improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
After a wild first half that featured four picks by the Great Danes, including one on the first play of the game, the squads went into halftime with a 14-14 score. However, out of the break, the hosting Dukes notched three consecutive touchdowns to take the lead for good.
“Offensively, we had opportunities,” said Head Coach Greg Gattuso. “It was 14-14 at the half and we knew we needed to get out and score. We knew we needed to put some pressure on them. We just didn't get it done. The kids fought hard. We're building a program and we're going to continue to play hard.”
Redshirt freshman Julian Cox led UAlbany's defensive effort with a career-high 16 tackles, an interception return for 22 yards, and a fumble-forcing sack. Rayshan Clark followed with 13 tackles and a 19-yard interception, while Jamal Merritt, Neil Morrison, and Colin Cooper accounted for the Danes' other three picks.
For the second straight game, redshirt freshman Elliot Croskey rushed for over 100 yards, totaling 102 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. True freshman Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks carried the ball 12 times, logging 75 rushing yards and a touchdown.
In the pocket, D.J. Crook threw for a TD and rushed for one, completing 18-of-36 passes, totaling 167 passing yards. Freshman Zee Roberson served as his top target, grabbing a career-best seven receptions for 90 yards. Sophomore Josh Gontarek followed with four catches for 25 yards, and Malachi Lawrence accounted for a 14-yard touchdown reception.
After winning the toss, deferring, and kicking off to JMU, Cooper picked off Duke quarterback Vad Lee's first pass of the game. However, on the same play receiver Rashard Davis stripped the ball and recovered for a 14-yard gain. The Dukes went on to use six plays to get into the end zone on Deane Chetham's 23-yard touchdown reception, giving James Madison a 7-0 head start.
In the Dukes next possession, Clark recorded a 19-yard interception, starting UAlbany's drive at the JMU-18. Working their way down to the three yard line after a nine-yard pass to Roberson and back-to-back rushes by Croskey, Crook faked a handoff to Croskey and ran the ball across the goal line, tying the score, 7-7, with 8:40 remaining in the first quarter.
James Madison made it 14-7 with 4:34 left in the opening stanza on Cardon Johnson's seven-yard run, but the UAlbany defense continued to fight and pester the Dukes. In Great Dane territory, Cox intercepted Lee at the UAlbany-25 and returned it 22 yards to the 47-yard line.
UAlbany's offense took full advantage of the Danes' third pick of the half, as Croskey capped a three-play drive with a 27-yard touchdown scamper, tying the score again, 14-14, with 4:56 left in the half.
Taking the wind out of JMU's sail in back-to-back possessions, Jamal Merritt recorded the Danes' fourth interception of the half, snagging Lee's 28-yard touchdown attempt in the end zone, giving UAlbany the ball on the 20 with 2:13 remaining in the half. While UAlbany's offense wasn't able to turn the turnover into points, the defense made another stop when Cox sacked Lee, stripped the ball loose, and Samuel Gray recovered on the UAlbany-42 with nine seconds left. Again, however, the turnover did not result in points on the board, sending the teams into the break tied up.
“We had a chance at the end of the half to go up 21-14 and get the football,” said Gattuso. “We didn't execute well. That was the opportunity. That was the turning point.”
In the third quarter, Lee connected touchdown passes to Davis (13-yards) Ishmael Hyman (49-yards), and Dominique Taylor (15-yards) to take a 35-14 advantage.
UAlbany battled back with a five-play 45-yard drive capped by Ibitokun-Hanks' seven-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter, but JMU answered back immediately with a successful 70-yard drive.
With 2:51 remaining, Crook connected a 14-yard pass to Lawrence in the back of the end zone, marking the redshirt senior's first career touchdown, making the final score 42-28.
UAlbany totaled 353 yards of total offense, while JMU finished with 625 yards. Despite the career-high five interceptions, Lee threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns, while Khalid Abdullah (143 rushing yards) and Cardon Johnson (134 rushing yards) led the ground attack.
Up next, UAlbany returns to Bob Ford Field and steps out of conference to host Duquesne on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.
