ODU, JMU hold spots in coaches poll
The top seven teams remain unchanged in this week’s FCS Coaches poll. North Dakota State (No.1), Montana State (No.2), Old Dominion (No.4), Wofford (No.5), and Eastern Washington (No.7) went a combined 5-0 over the weekend, while Youngstown State (No.3) and James Madison (No.6) held their spots after being idle last weekend.
Georgia Southern moved up one spot to No.8 after defeating conference foe and then-No.25 Samford 35-16. Sam Houston State (No.9) and Lehigh (No.10) each moved up one spot to round out the Top 10. Read more
JMU’s Thorpe granted sixth year of eligibility
James Madison quarterback Justin Thorpe (Richmond, Va./Varina) has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, announced today. He will now be listed as a redshirt junior for JMU for the remainder of the season.
Thorpe had a season-ending injury as a true freshman in 2008 and then was injured also in the first half of the 2010 season opener against Morehead State, which ended that season. In cases where there have been two season ending injuries early in the year, application can be made for a sixth year, though it is not always granted. Read more
Career day for Thorpe lifts JMU over Rhode Island
Redshirt-senior quarterback Justin Thorpe had his first career 300-yard passing game to lead #6/7 James Madison football team to a 32-7 victory in their Colonial Athletic Association opener at Rhode Island, Sept. 22. The Dukes are now 11-3 in CAA openers under head coach Mickey Matthews and move to 3-1 and 1-0 in the CAA, while the Rams fall to 0-3 and 0-2 in league play.
Thorpe had career highs in completions, attempts and yards, going 26-for-40 for 340 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver De’Andre’ Smith had a career-high eight receptions for 53 yards and one rushing score, while redshirt-junior receiver Renard Robinson had a career-high 87 yards and one touchdown on three catches. Read more
JMU among six teams in I-AA Top 25
The concept that CAA Football teams are lurking in the shadows seems a little strange. The CAA had become the FCS’ dominant conference, only to take a step backward on the national scene last year. But as CAA teams try to reaffirm lofty status among the best in the FCS, the conference is still home to the most ranked teams this season.
The CAA had six teams in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 on Monday, led by Old Dominion and James Madison. Read more
JMU falls hard to WVU, 42-12
FBS No. 9 West Virginia’s high powered offense was limited to more than 27 points lower than its scoring average the last two games, but Geno Smith’s five touchdown passes gave the Mountaineers the 42-12 victory over FCS No. 5 James Madison in the Virginia 529 College Savings Classic at FedEx Field in Landover, Md..
With the loss, the Dukes fell to 2-1 on the season, while the Mountaineers moved to 2-0. Read more
ODU, JMU move up in I-AA polls
James Madison and Old Dominion can each claim a #4 spot in the national I-AA football polls.
JMU (2-0) is fourth in The Sports Network poll, with ODU (2-0) at #6 nationally. ODU, meanwhile, is #4 in the weekly FCS Coaches Poll, with the Dukes a step back at #5.
North Dakota State (2-0) holds the top spot in both rankings.
