Delaware vs. JMU live game blog

The Hens offense couldn't seem to get going and struggled with a JMU defense that sacked Devlin eight times. JMU earned its first Colonial Athletic Association win of the season.

Hens lose to Dukes 20-8.
The game ended after a safety that gave Delaware two more points.

Devlin trying to engineer a comeback.
Devlin connects with Thaxton for 4 yards, bringing the ball to the Hens' 32 yard line. Again Devlin found Thaxton on a 11-yard completion. Devlin next teamed up with Duncan, who caught for another 22 yards. With the ball now in Dukes territory, Devlin passed to Crosby, landing a spot on the 24-yard line from which to throw to Duncan. Another Crosby completion brought the ball to the 9-yard line before a Delaware timeout with 3:17 left in the game. The Hens then lost ten yards after Devlin was sacked an eighth time. Nelson broke up Devlin's pass intended for White. The Hens' progress is stymied again.

JMU bides time.
Sullivan rushed for three yards before an false start penalty moved the Dukes back five yards. JMU kept using Sullivan to move the ball on the drive until Goff's 29-yard punt.

Hens try to rally with 9:57 remaining.
Devlin came up short of completion on a pass to Mackey and was soon after sacked for loss of 8 yards. An exciting pass from Devlin, after a scramble, was ruled incomplete.

Thorpe shows off receivers, JMU makes it a two-score game for the Hens.
Thorpe passed to Caussin for 16 yards to Delaware's 48-yard line then carried another four. Thorpe then found Bosco Williams for another 12 yards followed by a Sullivan completion that earned four yards. Again, Thorpe found receiver McCarter to advance again. Sullivan and Thorpe each carried, bringing the Dukes teasingly close to the end zone before Sullivan scored another Dukes touchdown. Wright kicked for an extra point to lead 20-6.

Dukes end quarter moving forward.
After a Delaware timeout, Yancey carries for four yards to the 21 yard line. Thorpe connected with Turner for another 11 yards before carrying to gain another three yards.

Hens struggle to respond.
Devlin's pass to Mackey was knocked down by Bryant. The Hens frustration continued as Devlin overshot White before a pass to Butler was limited to three yards gained.

JMU extends lead to 13-6.
Yancey rushed for two yards. Thorpe completed 53-yard pass to McCarter. Thorpe carried four yards to the Delaware 7 then failed to connect with Caussin. Dukes increased lead, scoring a touchdown off a pass to Newman.

Delaware gives up ball on downs.
Devlin was sacked for the fifth time. Devlin finds Duncan for 17 yards, then struggled with dropped passes.

Walters saves touchdown, forces fumble.
Striefsky kicks off 62 yards. Thorpe rushed two yards to the JMU 40 yard line. Sullivan ran for loss of one yard. Thorpe completed a pass 51-yard pass to McCarter to the Delaware 5 who then fumbled at the ten. Charles Graves capitalized on the mistake and carried back up to the 43.

Hens answer with second field goal.
Wright kicked off 53 yards for the Dukes. Jackson ran for no gain to the Delaware 42 yard line. Devlin completed pass to Thaxton for 21 yards. Jackson then gained ten yards for the Hens before Devlin rushed another 12 yards. Jackson earned another five yards, bringing the ball to the ten yard line. Devlin completed a pass to Jackson to lose four yards before Thaxton dropped a pass from Devlin. Striefsky kicked another field goal to narrow JMU's margin to one point.

Striefsky kick off to start third quarter. Dukes grab the lead.
Thorpe passed to Caussin for 27 yards before Sullivan's 2-yard carry to advance the Dukes to Delaware 46-yard line. Thorpe then failed to connect with McCarter but found Noble for 31 yards. Yancey rushed three yards and Thorpe ran 12 yards to put JMU ahead. Dixon Wright secures extra point making the game 7-3 with 12:54.

End of second quarter, 3-0 Delaware.
The first half was a defensive struggle. The skies cleared up and rain stopped during the quarter.

Hens move forward, slowly but steadily.
Duncan catches pass for 16 yards before Crosby drops Devlin's next ball. Devlin tried to hit Mackey but the pass was broken up by Pat Williams. Devlin finally finds Butler for 4 yards. Drive ends with Wagner's punt.

JMU mirrors Delaware's frustration.
Sullivan rushed eight yards before Thorpe runs for loss of three. Delaware uses timeout with 1:23 left on the clock. Yancey carried for no gain and Delaware calls third timeout of the half at 1:16 to go. Goff punted 41 yards to end drive.

Dukes frustrate Hens offense.
Dukes make fourth sack of the day, taking Hens back 7 yards. Devlin tried to find Duncan but the pass was incomplete. Devlin is brought down rushing for one yard. Wagner punts for 50 yards.

Hens penalty
Sullivan carried for loss of one. Thorpe connects with Turner for 5 yards. Bratton stops Turner's second five-yard carry of the drive before a Delaware timeout. JMU drive ended in Delaware penalty for holding.

Wagner kicks eighth longest punt in school history.
Devlin sacked for loss of eight. Delaware penalty for false start loses five yards for the Hens. Devlin carried five yards before Wagner's 73-yard punt puts the ball back at the two-yard line.

Bratton intercepts Thorpe.
Dukes complete first pass of game. Caussin received for 28 yards. Yancey rushed another two yards to the 50-yard line before Thorpe carried into Hens ground.

Devlin interception, his first this season.
Striefsky kicks off for the Hens. JMU began drive with a late-hit penalty. Reynolds rushed six yards for the Dukes and Sullivan carried again for a loss of two, stopped by Bratton and Gilbeaux. Dukes called time out with 10:57 remaining. Turnover on downs. Duncan catches pass for 6 yards to the Hens' 35-yard line. Jackson gains another six yards for Delaware on two plays. Devlin's pass intended for Duncan is intercepted by Jon Williams.

Hens get on the scoreboard.
Devlin completed pass to Butler who then rushed for a total 18 yards on two plays. JMU's McGee broke up the play. A pass to Thaxton for six yards set up Striefsky's season-long 34-yard field goal to extend his school record.

Quarter ends scoreless.
Butler rushed for one yard, followed by Crosby reception for another eight yards. Jackson rushed four yards to earn a first-down for the Hens on the 35-yard line. Butler gained another three yards before the Dukes sacked Devlin. Devlin responded hitting Thaxton on a 26-yard pass.

Delaware takeover at the 22-yard line.
Jakarie Jackson runs for 12 yards, sparking a chain of carries for the Dukes. Thorpe and Yancey gained yards for JMU before Delaware returned 20 yards.

Hens fake field goal.
After two completions to Nihja White, Ed Wagner took off on a run on the field goal attempt and was stopped well short.

Hens forced to punt again.
On the punt by Ed Wagner, the Hens got a break as it deflected off a JMU player and was recovered by Anthony Walters. They now have first set of downs starting in JMU territory.


Dukes for touchback.
JMU responded to Delaware's three and out with one of their own. Both teams struggled with their passing game on their first drives.

Hens forced to punt.
Devlin and company couldn't get started, a tipped pass botched snap and sack saw them go three and out.

Dukes or Hens kick off
The players take the field in front of a lacking crowd. The usually bustling student section is mostly empty. The Hens prepare to battle the same elements that kept their fans away.
JMU wins the toss and defers to Delaware. The Hens defend North end.

Starting line-ups:

Delaware offense:
TE Trevor Mooney
WR Mark Mackey
WR Mark Duncan
WR Tommy Crosby
LT Shea Allard
LG Corey Nicholson
C Rob McDowell
RG Gino Gradowski
QB Pat Devlin
RB Jerry Butler

Delaware defense:
LE Chris Morales
LT Siddiq Haynes
RT Brandon Guilbeaux
RE John Higginson
OLB Paul Worrilow
MLB Benard Makumbi
OLB Andrew Harrison
CB Anthony Walters
SS Anthony Bratton
FS Charles Graves
CB Tyrone Grant

James Madison offense:
TE Mike Caussin
WR Rockreed McCarter
WR Marcus Turner
LT Theo Sherman
LG Roane Babinton
C Donny Smith
RG Dorian Brooks
RT Brandon Monroe
QB Justin Thorpe
FB Donnell Brown
TB Jamal Sullivan

James Madison defense:
DE Arthur Moats
DT Ronnell Brown
DT Sam Daniels
DE D.J. Bryant
LB Chase Williams
LB Pat Williams
WS Jon Williams
CB Scotty McGee
SS Vidal Nelson
FS Jakarie Jackson
CB Jamaris Sanders

Twenty-five minutes until kick-off
It's 62 degrees and raining for the Delaware Homecoming game. Weather.com predicts it won't get any prettier for the Hens. Delaware will look to extend its winning streak with a fourth victory this afternoon. The Hens need to run with the momentum they've picked up in the last few weeks. The Dukes are playing with a chip on their shoulder, looking to take their first conference win away from the game.