James Madison and Weber State put on a show Friday night in the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals, a nail-biter that came down to the final second as JMU hit a 47-yard goal to survive and advance in a 31-28 win.
[divider]COMPARE: Bryan Schor vs. Stefan Cantwell | JMU vs. Weber State[divider]
Weber State's season ends after an impressive run through the playoffs with wins over Western Illinois and Southern Utah, while JMU will advance to take on either South Dakota State or New Hampshire in the semifinals.
MORE: Game Story as JMU Advances
MORE: Weber State Nearly Topples The Champs
Here's how the game unfolded (highlights via @NCAA_FCS):
[divider]
Weber State struck first — Xequille Harry intercepted the first JMU pass of the game and Kevin Smith punctuated it with a 1-yard run.
Not how the Dukes wanted to start…
Xequille Harry picks of Schor on the fourth play of the game
JMU 0, WSU 0 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/ypdiyeR7qD— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
The Wildcats strike first!
WSU 7, JMU 0 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/UIQXauDuW6— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
James Madison answered right back, as Marcus Marshall capped an impressive drive — totaling 67 yards on 5 carries by himself — with this 15-yard score.
The Dukes strike back! Marcus Marshall does it himself with 5 rushes for 67 yards en route to a game-tying TD
JMU 7, WSU 7 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/6STyAXujuP— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
JMU added a field goal to make it a 10-7 game in the second, and tried to add another field goal before the half, but it was blocked, returned for a touchdown, and called back on a penalty to end the half on a crazy play.
Weber State blocks the kick to deny JMU at the close of the opening half
JMU 10, WSU 7 – End 2Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/23HtTxuAvp— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
Kevin Smith struck again in the third quarter on a monster 81-yard catch-and-run to put Weber State up 14-10.
Kevin Smith makes it look easy on the 81 yard pitch and catch, and Weber State regains the lead!!!
WSU 14, JMU 10 – 3Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/cCPmKhYaAs— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
Marcus Marshall kept pace with his second TD of the day too, scoring from 20 yards out after a JMU interception slowed the Wildcats and the Dukes went up 17-14.
Just what the Dukes needed! Robinson picks of Cantwell and the JMU faithful are getting loud once again
WSU 14, JMU 10 – 3Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/fxWoKO8Ft2— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
Marcus Marshall’s second TD of the night comes at a great time to put his squad on top in the 4th
JMU 17, WSU 14 – 4Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/HZsjZXJc0m— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
Weber State answered right back with a Stefan Cantwell keeper to score up the middle to go up 21-17.
Weber State with the quick response!
WSU 21, JMU 17 – 4Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/osAyckWr1r— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
JMU added a field goal to make it 21-20, but Weber answered again as Cantwell executed a beautiful fake before hitting Drew Batchelor for a 36-yard TD.
INCREDIBLE!!!!
Batchelor hauls in a long TD reception in double coverage #SCTop10WSU 28, JMU 20 – 4Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/yl82b7sDBX— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
JMU wouldn't be denied the comeback, as Riley Stapleton continued his huge day with a 40-yard touchdown, and Trai Sharp punched in the two-point conversion as the Dukes tied it at 28-all.
Have yourself a day, Riley Stapleton! The Dukes have TIED IT UP!!!
JMU 28, WSU 28 – 4Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Swrh9Bx1ii— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
JMU's defense gave the offense the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock, but that was all Bryan Schor and co. needed to get into field goal range for Ethan Ratke to nail the game-winner from 47 yards away.
ETHAN RATKE = CLUTCH#FCSPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ulqqPQb4Or
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 9, 2017
Needless to say, the Dukes were pumped:
#GoCrazyHarrisonburg #FCSPlayoffs #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/K4V2S3SqPE
— HERO Sports FCS (@HEROSportsFCS) December 9, 2017
