Turning it Around

The football game tonight was among the best I have ever witnessed since I came to JMU. The Dukes defeated UNH in 20-14 dramatic fashion to move to 1-1 on the season.

New Hampshire struck early, taking a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game. The first half was largely back-and-forth, ending 10-7 in favor of the Dukes.

The second-half excitement began with a fake-field-goal punt attempt by New Hampshire that pinned the Dukes at their own 1-yard line. JMU drove 95-yards down the field, only to lose the ball 1 yard from a touchdown. The score by that point was 20-7 in favor of the Dukes, and a touchdown would likely have sealed the deal.

New Hampshire later took over on their own 30-yard line and drove down the field, winding up on the JMU 1-yard line with a first down. In the following minutes, I would come to believe that a marching band really can have an effect on the outcome of the game, as we were mere yards away from the action and screaming the whole time. I still have a headache from that.

First down: New Hampshire runs an over-the-top play, but is stuffed by two linebackers charging in from the side.

Second down: New Hampshire runs a fumblerooski, but the Madison defense reads it for a loss of five yards.

Third down: New Hampshire throws an incomplete pass into the band, but is called for holding. Inexplicably, JMU elects to take the penalty over the loss of down.

Third down redux: New Hampshire throws another pass into the stands.

Forth down: JMU blocks a 25-yard field goal attempt. Chaos ensues.

All night, the Dukes were running on all cylinders. Big tackles, great blocks, and long runs were the theme of the evening. The dramatic goal-line stand topped it all off. I have never been so elated at the end of a college football game before.

As I predicted yesterday, the marching band was pretty damn good, too. The MRDs continue to surprise me, week in and week out. We are the greatest college band in the world.