Madison, James Madison, we are the Dukes of JMU... and it's been a long time coming my fellow Dukes. First, we made it onto the big screen, with ESPN College Game Day making it's route to the home of the Dukes in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the fall of 2015. Next, we're 13-1 in the fall of 2016, leading us to hosting the undefeated team, Sam Houston State, in the FCS Quarterfinals in our very own Bridgeforth stadium. It was finals week, but students made their way to the tailgates and packed the stadium full. JMU won the game, once again, 65-7 blowing Sam Houston out of the water. Now, we've made our way to the FCS Semifinals in North Dakota facing the team that's five-time defending champs of the FCS Championship. This game has been, by far, one of the most stressful games following one of the most stressful weeks (finals week).
1. Cue the beginning of the numerous false starts.
2. JMU's first touchdown (can I get a J-M-U DUUUKES)
I can just imagine this game being in Bridgeforth stadium as the purple and gold streamers fly down the stadium, canons are triggered, and the students scream J-M-U Duuukes, shaking the stadium in an overwhelming roar.
3. "Excessive celebration"
C'mon we're just really excited... am I right??
4. North Dakota State misses the field goal.
That's right Dukes, we've got this.
5. And JMU scores once again.
*Cue purple and gold streamers*
6. Schor throws the ball down the field, and it gets turned over to North Dakota State.
C'mon boys, we're better than this.
7. 17-17, the score is tied, and this game, needless to say, is too much of a nail biter.
8. And the ball is incomplete.
9. As the fourth quarter emerges, we're all begging for JMU to come back and win this game.
The announcer states, "James Madison could stop North Dakota from being the sixth time champs", and I think I can speak for us all, we're all praying for this to be true.
10. Under a tight play, Schor throws the ball across the field, Miller catches the ball and runs it down the field.
I think we're all screaming at this point.
11. Schor gets stopped.
All I can say is... THIS GAME IS WAY TOO CLOSE.
12. The amount of penalties in this game... are we serious right now.
13. Tyler Gray scores the 45 yard field goal, placing JMU back in the lead!
20-17, c'mon boys we've got this.
14. Jenson gets first down for the Bison.
All of the Dukes are practically shaking in our boots right now.
15. Abdullah makes a 55 yard run down the field with the ball, and we're so close!!!
16. Not another penalty...
17. HELL YEAH, Schor blows the ball down the field, Miller catches the ball and once again... TOUCHDOWN FOR THE DUKES!
18. The clock winds down, and JMU wins the game.
27-17, that's what we like to see.
This game has been one hell of a ride, but North Dakota, you've met your match. We may have been the underdogs of the league, but we came for the win, and we didn't stop until we got it. Frisco, Texas here we come!
