Published Sep 23, 2017
FIELD NOTES: Schor Doesn't Mind Throwing The 50-50 Pass
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Greg Madia  •  DukesofJMU
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HARRISONBURG – Bryan Schor had good reason for throwing as many 50-50 passes as he did Saturday against Maine.

“I just saw one-on-one coverage,” the James Madison quarterback said after the Dukes’ win over the Black Bears. “And I think we’re really skilled outside.

“And if someone is going to cover us one-on-one, we take it personal and we think we should go out and win that matchup.”

Schor put the perfect touch on a 22-yard scoring strike to wide receiver David Eldridge during the third quarter. The ball was placed where only Eldridge, a Virginia transfer, could catch it even though Maine’s defensive back kept coverage tight.

Schor and Eldridge hooked up again for a gain of 25 yards later in the same frame. On that catch, Eldridge outleaped the opposing defensive back.

“Credit to David for making a lot of touch catches,” Schor said. “In a couple of those situations, I probably should have got him a better ball.”

Eldridge finished with three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.

*****

- With its 28-10 victory over Maine, JMU extended the longest active winning streak in Division I to 16 straight wins.

- The Dukes now lead the all-time series over Maine 13-5 and haven’t lost in Colonial Athletic Association play since Oct. 31, 2015 when they fell 44-41 at William & Mary.

- The attendance at Bridgeforth Stadium was 25,330 on Saturday. It was the third-largest crowd in the history of JMU football.

- Schor’s four touchdown passes marks the fifth time in his career he’s thrown at least four touchdown passes.

- JMU junior running back Marcus Marshall became the fourth JMU rusher to carry for at least 100 yards in a game this season joining junior Cardon Johnson, junior Trai Sharp and freshman Percy Agyei-Obese. Marshall totaled 19 carries for 135 yards in the game.

- Second-year JMU coach Mike Houston said his team faced adversity throughout the game, “but found a way in the second half” to win. After falling behind 10-7, JMU scored 21 unanswered points to notch the victory.

- Both Houston and Maine coach Joe Harasymiak said JMU just wore down Maine and it showed most in the fourth quarter.

- JMU freshman wide receiver Ezrah Archie hauled in a game-high eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Houston said when JMU recruited Archie he didn’t know the New Jersey native would be able to contribute right away, but that the wide receiver has worked in practice to improve and took advantage of the opportunity on Saturday.

- In four games, JMU’s defense hasn’t given up more than 14 points this season. Senior safety Jordan Brown said the unit completely understands the scheme this year and just continues to learn more and more from coordinator Bob Trott.

- In the fourth quarter, JMU linebacker Bryce Maginley was called for targeting, which will keep him sidelined for the first half of next week’s game at Delaware. Houston disagreed with the call. “It’s unbelievable,” Houston said. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my entire life. It was reviewed from two plays later, which is in the rulebook and the rule is written that the play has to be reviewed before the ball is snapped for the next play. The ball was snapped and a play was run and a play was reviewed from two plays earlier. I don’t understand that. That’s not the way the rule was written. It’s a non-reviewable play at that point. I don’t know what happened. Make no mistake, I’m going to take issue with it. I don’t think it was on the field, but you look at the video and that’s the reason it’s there and if they needed more time, they buzz it and stop it. I just hate it for the kid because now he’s going to miss the first half of next week.”