Early Turnovers Doom Football At No. 2 James Madison

Saturday, November 16

Harrisonburg, VA

3:30 PM

University of Richmond

5-6 , 4-3

James Madison

10-1 , 7-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Richmond

James Madison

Photo by: Keith Lucas

11/16/2019 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Highlights

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond football team committed four turnovers, including two in the first quarter, as the Spiders suffered a 48-6 to the No. 2 James Madison Dukes at Bridgeforth Stadium Saturday evening. The Spiders fall to 5-6 and 4-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association with the loss. James Madison improves to 10-1 and 7-0 in league play. The Dukes clinched the outright CAA regular season title and secured a spot in the FCS Playoffs with the win.

The Spiders were limited to 265 total yards against the CAA's top-ranked defense. Redshirt junior quarterback Joe Mancuso (Blairsville, Ga.) led the Richmond offense with 264 total yards of offense. Mancuso completed 18-of-30 passes for 204 yards and carried the ball 18 times for 60 yards.

Graduate receive Charlie Fessler (Erie, Pa.) was the Spiders' leading receiver, grabbing six passes for 92 yards, but had an early turnover on the Spiders' first drive. Redshirt freshman Isaac Brown (Winchester, Va.) added five catches for 49 yards and graduate receiver Keyston Fuller (Griffin, Ga.) caught three passes for 64 yards.

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Kobie Turner (Clifton, Va.) led the Spider defense with a career-high 12 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry. Junior linebacker Tyler Dressler (Covington, Va.) added a nine tackle effort, while senior defensive back Trent Williams (Chester, Va.) and freshman linebacker Tristan Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa.) finished with seven tackles.

After forcing a punt on JMU's opening series, the Spiders drove down inside the Duke 10-yard line. Mancuso hit Fessler over the middle and he broke a tackle before extending the ball towards the goal line. JMU's Wesley McCormick punched the ball free before Richmond broke the plane of the goal line and the Dukes would recover. On the very next play, JMU hit Brandon Polk for an 80-yard score to go up early.

The Dukes took advantage of another Spider fumble – this one on the ensuing kickoff - that set them up inside Richmond territory and Ethan Ratke hit on a 22-yard field goal. JMU added another score on an 8-play, 71-yard drive to go up 17-0 before Richmond could answer. The Spiders used an 8-play, 52-yard drive, highlighted by a 22-yard reception from Fessler, to get Richmond on the board with a Jake Larson (Baltimore, Md.) 40-yard field goal.

JMU answered with an 11-play touchdown drive to go up 24-3 with 4:08 remaining in the first half. Richmond used a 12-play, 69-yard drive to close out the first half. Larson capped the drive with his second field goal of the day, a 23-yarder as the first half expired. Freshman running back Savon Smith (Winchester, Va.) started the drive with a 16-yard rush and Mancuso connected with Fessler on a 32-yard pass to the MU five-yard line on the drive. James Madison out-scored the Spiders 24-0 in the second half.

Richmond is back in action next week in the final regular season game of the year at Robins Stadium. The Spiders will host the William & Mary Tribe for a noon kickoff for The Capital Cup Presented by C&F Bank in the 130^th meeting of the Oldest Rivalry in the South.

-- UR --