2004 nATIonAL TITLE James Madison University football in 2004 made history at the team and national levels. The 13-2 Dukes won the NCAA Division I-AA title with a playoff effort that became increasingly impressive as the postseason progressed. JMU took the national crown without hosting a playoff game, becoming the first Division I-AA team to win three playoff road contests in a season. JMU won with depth and balance, consistent play that included Division I-AA’s secondranked run defense (86.8 yards per game), good special teams play, and an offense that developed a powerful running attack and avoided mistakes. The Dukes won seven games by 10 or fewer points and were particularly effective late in contests. JMU won 17-0 at Villanova after a scoreless first 36 minutes and beat Massachusetts 28-7 after a scoreless first 40 minutes. The Dukes won 24-20 at Maine with a touchdown with 0:48 left and beat Delaware 20-13 with an 87-yard punt return for a score with 3:04 left and by stopping the Hens after they had a firstdown-and-goal situation from the three during the next drive. After tying for the Atlantic 10 title (7-1 record), JMU was disappointed not to get a home playoff game. However, the Dukes responded with a 14-13 first-round win at Lehigh and then won by the same score at Furman, driving 74 yards during the final 5:11 for the decisive touchdown. JMU avenged its lone Division I-AA loss of the year by winning 48-34 at William & Mary in a nationally televised (ESPN) Friday night game and beat Montana 31-21 for the NCAA title the following Friday in Chattanooga, Tenn., before another national television audience. The Dukes took a 21-0 lead at William & Mary, fell behind 26-21 early in the second half, and then dominated play with 28 straight points in an 18-minute period. JMU was equally effective during the last three quarters against Montana, running for 314 yards overall and holding the ball for 36:13 of the game’s 60 minutes. JMU’s play helped Mickey Matthews gain Division I-AA coach of the year honors from the American Football Coaches Association, and several Dukes received major awards. Offensive guard Matt Magerko and free safety Tony LeZotte led the award recipients. Magerko was first-team All-America by Associated Press, and LeZotte was first-team by I-AA.org, second team by Associated Press and Football Weekly and third-team by The Sports Network. Linebacker Kwynn Walton was third-team All-America by The Sports Network, and safety Rodney McCarter was a Football Foundation All-America. LeZotte was the Atlantic 10 co-rookie of the year. Tailback Raymond Hines was team MVP after running for 1,038 yards. He became a starter at midseason when Alvin Banks and Maurice Fenner were hurt and became only the fourth Duke to run for 1,000 yards during a season. Fenner (117 yards at William & Mary, 164 vs. Montana) and Banks (88 yards vs. Montana) stepped back into the spotlight for the final two playoff games after Hines was hurt at William & Mary. Quarterback Justin Rascati threw for 2,045 yards and 14 touchdowns, ran for 10 scores, and was intercepted only five times in 283 passes. Team defensive MVP Trey Townsend and Walton as linebackers, LeZotte, and McCarter led the defense. LeZotte set a team freshman record with 144 tackles, Townsend had 102 tackles and five interceptions, McCarter had 92 stops, and Walton had 88 tackles. Cornerback Clint Kent, who had 73 tackles for the season, returned an interception 69 yards for a score at Wiliam & Mary and sealed JMU’s title-game win over Montana with an interception.
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2004 JMU Results
JMU 62, Lock Haven 7 JMU 17, Villanova 0 West Virginia 45, JMU 10 JMU 31, Hofstra 21 JMU 28, Massachusetts 7 JMU 24, Maine 20 JMU 26, Richmond 20 JMU 41, VMI 10 JMU 20, Delaware 13 William & Mary 27, JMU 24 JMU 31, Towson 17 JMU 14, Lehigh 13 JMU 14, Furman 13 JMU 48, William & Mary 34 JMU 31, Montana 21