FCS Playoffs: JMU Holds Off Villanova With A Super Effort From Rodney Landers

The JMU Dukes held off the tough Villanova Wildcats on the back of Rodney Landers. With his three passing touchdowns and game winning one yard TD run, Landers was easily the hero of the game. Three or four times, it appeared he would be sacked for a loss, only to escape (amazingly) and run back to the line of scrimmage or even gain yards.

JMU pulled ahead in the first, with a TD pass to Mike Caussin. Early in the second, they padded the lead with a 26 yard TD pass to Bosco Williams  (the Hail-Mary hero from the regular season game against Villanova).

Just before half-time, a Lander's fumble (which was not a fumble, he was down on contact before the ball came loose) and a Villanova drive had tied the game at 14.

By the end of the thrid quarter, JMU was leading 24-14, on a Dave Stannard field goal and Landers TD pass to Kirby Long.

Villanova game roaring back in the fourth, scoring a TD but missing the extra point as it bounced off the upright. 24-20, JMU. JMU took two minutes off the clock on their next drive, but were forced to punt. Nova then drove down the field and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 6:48 left in the game.

The fans did not give up. JMU drove down the field, converting on a key 4-2, and Rodney ran the ball for a 1-yard TD with 1:38 left in the game.

This gave the ball back to Nova with little time left and no time outs. Fortunately for the Dukes, Chris Whitney's pass was intercepted by Marcus Haywood, who scrambled for a few yards to take more time off the clock. With just under a minute left, two knees from Rodney sealed the deal. The moment that ball was intercepted, the always-rowdy student section got louder than ever.

Of course, they were already excited due to fellow CAA Richmond trouncing Appalachian State 33-13 at home. The oh-so-vaunted Armanti Edwards threw five interceptions and just one TD. And people want him to win the Walter Payton Award?

Clearly, the only choice for that award should be Rodney Landers. He's had comparable numbers (except for interceptions) with Edwards all year. The only difference is that Edwards beat a very bad Michigan team LAST YEAR. That's done. This is this year, and clearly the best QB in the league is James Madison University's Rodney Landers.

Next week, the Dukes take on Montana. The game starts at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. Richmond will face off with UNI on Saturday, with the winner of each game advancing to the National Championship on Dec. 19 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

So here's to another good game from Rodney, and GO DUKES!