‘Weight Lifted Off Shoulders’: Madison escapes Terrier third-quarter surge, wins 38-35
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeNovember 30, 2008
JMU coach Mickey Matthews said the Dukes would have gone for a touchdown on fourth down, even with a 31-28 lead over Wofford on Saturday. But late in the fourth quarter of Madison’s first-round NCAA playoff game, Rodney Landers left nothing to chance. On third-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Madison’s senior quarterback rammed into one defender — leaving him stumbling backward — and burst off another defender’s left shoulder into the right corner of the end zone for a 10-point lead in JMU’s... Read more »
Commentary: Baffling Call Turns Game in Dukes Favor
By Tim Chapman, The BreezeNovember 30, 2008
Coaches and their decisions will always be questioned; just not too often by the honchos themselves. However, some decisions are NEVER second-guessed. For the second straight year JMU found itself in a pressure-filled playoff game against a strong Southern Conference team. Luckily for the Dukes, they came out on top this year and will avoid any serious scrutiny of the Xs and Os. While it’s obvious that the losers are put under the microscope, it’s still mind-boggling to think what goes through... Read more »
Big Fourth-and-6 Stop Keys JMU Victory
By Wes Shaw, The BreezeNovember 30, 2008
Dane Romero needed six yards to extend Wofford’s drive and keep its hopes of winning alive. He got five. A fourth-and-6 stop by redshirt freshmen Pat Williams and Vidal Nelson gave JMU the ball and all the momentum it would need to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. JMU held on to beat Wofford 38-35. Madison’s biggest defensive stop of the game came with just over nine minutes remaining and with the Dukes holding onto a slim, 31-28 lead. “We knew they were gonna go for it,”... Read more »
Closer Look: Second Round of the NCAAs
By The Breeze,November 30, 2008
Eight teams have advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Football Championship, and the field will be whittled down to four Saturday. Will Appalachian State win a fourth straight title, or will another team win for the first time since JMU in 2004? Villanova at JMU A 55-28 win over Patriot League Champion Colgate sends No. 6 Villanova to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Colgate had won eight straight prior to its loss Saturday and was ranked No. 16 in the FCS. The Raiders received... Read more »
Into the Second Round
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeNovember 29, 2008
JMU coach Mickey Matthews said the Dukes would have gone for a touchdown on fourth down, even with a 31-28 lead over Wofford on Saturday. But late in the fourth quarter of Madison’s first-round playoff game, Rodney Landers left nothing to chance. On third-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Madison’s senior quarterback rammed into one defender — leaving him stumbling backward — and burst off another defender’s left shoulder into the right corner of the end zone for a 38-28 lead in JMU’s 38-35... Read more »
Dominating End to Regular Season
By Matt McGovern, The BreezeNovember 22, 2008
TOWSON, Md. — JMU’s defensive linemen repeatedly roughed up Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer on Saturday in both teams’ regular season finale, but Madison’s head man sustained a blow of his own near the end of the Dukes’ 58-27 rout of the Tigers. JMU coach Mickey Matthews was hit as his players doused him with the ceremonial Gatorade bucket. “The water barrel hit me on the head,” Matthews said. “I got a knot on my head. I think I’m the most beat-up guy on the team.” The fact... Read more »
Women Crash Against Pilots
By Wes Shaw, The BreezeNovember 22, 2008
Soccer season ends in round of 16 with 3-2 loss against Portland In the NCAA tournament round of 16, JMU women’s soccer season ended Saturday night with a 3-2 loss to No. 3 Portland. After an early score from sophomore midfielder Teresa Rynier, JMU surrendered three goals in a 20-minute period between the first and second halves. Madison ended its season with a 14-7-2 record, advancing to the third round of the NCAAs for the first time in school history. “I’m a bit disappointed because it was... Read more »
Nicholson Passes Away
By Erik Landers, The BreezeNovember 21, 2008
Reginald “Shay” Nicholson, 19, passed away Thursday night, less than two weeks after being shot in the head Nov. 9 in Hunters Ridge. Nicholson was receiving treatment at the University of Virginia medical center since the shooting. Doctors had been waiting for pressure in Nicholson’s brain to go down before removing the bullet. Five arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The alleged shooter Zackery Turner of Charlottesville was arrested last Friday following the arrests of... Read more »
Terps Hold Off Dukes
By Wes Shaw, The BreezeNovember 21, 2008
Last year, Maryland came into Harrisonburg and broke JMU women’s basketball’s national-best 30-game winning streak. Thursday night in College Park, the Dukes couldn’t return the favor. Dawn Evans outscored her All-American counterpart Kristi Toliver, but the No. 11 Terrapins got by Madison 90-76 to earn their 23rd straight home win. JMU’s sophomore point guard had 33 points to lead the Dukes, while Maryland’s senior point guard Toliver had 27 points for the Terrapins. Toliver... Read more »
MRD’s to March in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
By Ashton Smith, The BreezeNovember 20, 2008
Times Square is known for its colorful New Year’s Eve celebration, but next week there will be two colors — if only for a few minutes — dominating the street. Four hundred and seventy-five purple and gold faculty and students will spend Thanksgiving in the Big Apple. The JMU Marching Royal Dukes are performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the second time in school history. The Dukes were one of 10 bands chosen from a pool of more than 200 in the nation. The band will be the eighth... Read more »
Check Out New Videos!
March 4, 2010 Issue in Print
2010 Baseball & Softball Guide
