Hampton 31, James Madison 28

Following a slow first quarter the Dukes opened the scoring in the second period on a 4-yard run by running back Rondell Bradley. On fourth-and-1 from the Pirates’ 4-yard line, Bradley outraced the Hampton defenders to the right side for a 7-0 lead with 13:57 left in the second quarter. That would prove to be the only JMU highlight for quite some time as the Pirates rolled off 31 unanswered points.

Starting their next drive from their own 33-yard line, the Pirates wasted little time in evening the score as quarterback Tim Frazier, who threw fro a career high three touchdowns, found Zuriel Smith for a 67-yard touchdown strike on Hampton’s first play from scrimmage. The 67-yard gain surpassed that of any pass during the 2001 season. Tellis Bolden’s extra point tied the score at seven apiece with 13:39 on the clock.

With Smith’s touchdown reception the momentum quickly changed and the Pirate defense came alive. Defensive end Isaac Hilton recovered a fumble by JMU quarterback Matt LeZotte at the Dukes’ 39-yard line, giving Hampton great field position. On fourth-and-3 from the JMU 32-yard line, Frazier attempted to find Smith once again and although the pass fell incomplete, the Pirates received a first down courtesy of pass interference call, giving Hampton the ball at the JMU 17-yard line. Tight end David Blount eventually capped the drive with a 5-yard reception from Frazier and the Pirates led 14-7.

Running back Carlton Morant rushed for 32 of his 63 total yards on eight consecutive carries to setup Hampton’s final score of the first half, a 20-yard field goal by Bolden to give the Pirates a 17-7 advantage heading into the locker room.

Hampton quickly extended its lead in the first few minutes of the second half with the defense forcing two more turnovers. Hilton forced a fumble by Raymond Hines which Pirate linebacker Vernon Woodson, who led the team with 14 tackles on the day, promptly scooped up and raced 17-yards to the JMU end zone. Following the kickoff, on the Dukes’ next offensive play, Pirate safety Travis Oliver intercepted LeZotte and returned it to the JMU 1-yard line, setting up Hampton’s final score, a 1-yard pass from Frazier to Smith. With 9:11 to play in the third quarter, and Hampton leading 31-7, the game appeared to be all but over. Yet the Dukes were not convinced.

Reserve running back Pervis Binns (20 att., 122 yds.) kept the Dukes close with three touchdowns on their next three possessions, the final one coming on a 47-yard sweep with 9:18 remaining in the game cutting the Pirate cushion to 31-28. With the Pirates going three-and–out on their next two possessions, JMU seemed in great position to tie or take the lead. However, the Pirate defense emerged once again forcing its fourth turnover of the game when Dirul Diaab recovered Binns’ fumble to seal the win.

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