The University of Maine football team led the #1 team in all of FCS 10-7 early in the third quarter on the road Saturday, but ultimately fell 28-10 to James Madison in front of the largest crowd ever of 25,330 at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
In a scoreless game through almost a quarter and a half, the home standing Dukes broke on top first when quarterback Bryan Schor found Jonathan Kloosterman in the back of the end zone to make it 7-0 JMU. Maine would get on the board late in the first half as Brandon Briggs nailed a 40 yard field goal with 14 seconds left in the half to make it 7-3 at the break.
Maine (1-2, 0-2 CAA), took their first and only lead less than two minutes into the third quarter, as Josh Mack ran 60 yards for a score to make it 10-7. The JMU defense would close the door on Maine from that point on, and touchdown passes of 22, 9, and 3 yards by Schor to David Eldridge, Taylor Woods, and Ezrah Archie kept the Dukes unbeaten (4-0, 1-0).
Redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Ferguson was 20-41, 162 yards, with no touchdowns, and three interceptions for the Bears, while Mack ended up with 144 yards rushing on 24 carries and the one score. Jaleel Reed had four catches for 29 yards to lead the receiving core. Taji Lowe had 10 tackles for the defense, while Sterling Sheffield had eight tackles and 2.5 sacks. Schor led the offensive side of things for the Dukes going 21-31, 281 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Marcus Marshall rushed 19 times for 135 yards to lead the backfield for the defending national champions.
Maine now has another bye week before returning to conference play on the road at Villanova on October 7. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
UME (1-2) 0 3 7 0- 10
JMU (4-0) 0 7 7 14- 28
First downs- Maine 15 JMU 25
Total yards- Maine 299 JMU 472
Turnovers- Maine 3 JMU 1
Time of game- 3:13
