Overcoming challenges lifted JMU

Media General News Service
Published: October 1, 2008

James Madison, which rose to No.1 in the Sports Network poll on Monday, had to survive the elements and a determined effort by Maine to beat the Black Bears 24-10 on Saturday night in Orono.

It rained most of the game, which was tied 10-10 going into the fourth quarter before former Hermitage High standout Griff Yancey scored a pair of touchdowns.

“The rain got heavier as the game went along,“ JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. “It wasn’t raining that hard in pregame warm-ups, but it got to raining very hard and it was difficult for either team to throw the ball. Both teams got their hands on some balls early that would have changed the game one way or another but couldn’t quite hold on.“

The win allowed the Dukes (2-0, 4-1) to take over the top spot in the South Division of the CAA heading into Saturday’s home date with Hofstra (1-0, 2-2).

It also made Matthews the winningest coach in school history, moving one ahead of Challace McMillin, JMU’s first coach. In his 10th season, Matthews is 68-44. McMillin was 67-56-1 in 13 years.

“I think most coaches will tell you that major-college football is a game of survival,“ Matthews said. “When you win, you’ve just survived longer than anyone else has because the posse is always after you.

“It’s a great tribute to a lot of good coaches and a lot of great players we’ve had here. That was probably my only thought on it. We’re much more worried about Hofstra than how many games I’ve won.“