Appalachian State hands No. 18 JMU its first loss
Touchdown in OT ruins Dukes’ big day
Appalachian State spoiled James Madison’s party with a dramatic overtime victory Saturday in Harrisonburg, knocking off the Associated Press No. 18, previously unbeaten Dukes 26-23.
Joey Aguilar’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Kaedin Robinson on third down clinched the victory for the Mountaineers (7-4, 5-2 Sun Belt) on a day when an ESPN “College GameDay” record of about 26,000 fans — slightly more than attended the game — appeared on JMU’s Quad to celebrate in the morning, with some of them chastising the NCAA for denying JMU’s hopes of immediate bowl eligibility.
Trailing 20-12, JMU (10-1, 6-1 Sun Belt) made a last-ditch drive to force overtime. Elijah Sarratt made a leaping reception to convert a fourth-and-18, then caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jordan McCloud. On the two-point conversion, they hooked up again as Sarratt barely got a foot inbounds, tying the score at 20 with 57 seconds remaining.
An interception by the Dukes deep in JMU territory ensured overtime.
JMU lost the coin toss and got the ball first. They quickly got inside the 10 but had to settle for Camden Wise’s 25-yard field goal.
The Mountaineers (7-4, 5-2) then won the game with their touchdown. Replay confirmed that Robinson barely crossed the goal line before losing control of the ball. ASU led 17-5 before McCloud’s 6-yard TD scramble with 8:20 to go.
Elon 51, Hampton 14: Matthew Downing threw four touchdown passes as the host Phoenix (6-5, 6-2 Coastal Athletic Association) rolled past the Pirates (5-6, 3-5), denying HU’s attempt to finish with a winning season.
Chris Zellous accounted for both Hampton touchdowns, a 43-yard pass to Paul Woods and a 2-yard run. But the Pirates couldn’t overcome being outscored 30-0 in the second quarter.
No. 25 Liberty 49, Massachusetts 25: Kaidon Salter threw for 225 yards, rushed for 118 and accounted for four touchdowns in Lynchburg as the Flames, ranked 25th by the AP but not in the College Football Playoff ranking, defeated UMass and stayed unbeaten.
Liberty (11-0), which entered the game averaging a Bowl Subdivision-best 278 yards rushing per game, ran for 324. The Flames soon will play for the Conference USA championship at home but have received criticism for a soft schedule.
Salter averaged better than 20 yards per pass while completing 11 of 16.
Navy 10, East Carolina 0: Alex Tecza rushed for the only touchdown and Navy’s defense turned in its third shutout this season with a victory over East Carolina in Annapolis, Maryland.
It was the first time ECU (2-9, 1-6 American Athletic) was shut out in 323 games.
Army 28, Coastal Carolina 21: Tyson Riley, Bryson Daily and Ay’Jaun Marshall each had a rushing touchdown and Army (5-6) beat Coastal Carolina (7-4) in West Point, New York.
Army plays Navy on Dec. 9 with an opportunity to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy outright as the Midshipmen already fell to Air Force 17-6 on Oct. 21.
VMI 27, Western Carolina 24:
Hunter Rice ran for 138 yards and four touchdowns as VMI (5-6, 4-4 Southern Conference) dashed Western Carolina’s FCS playoff hopes with a victory in Lexington. The Catamounts ended 7-4, 5-3.
Kutztown 38, Virginia Union 14: The Panthers (10-2) fell behind 28-0 and lost a first-round NCAA Division II playoff game.