HARRISONBURG — When Central Connecticut State looked like it would have its first explosive play on offense, James Madison linebacker Brandon Hereford was there to stop it.
The junior tallied 12 tackles in a spot start to help No. 12 JMU to a 56-21 win over the Blue Devils on Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium.
A freight train disguised in shoulder pads and a 1990s style neck roll, Hereford sniffed out the Central Connecticut State screen pass. He powered past two opposing offensive linemen to knock running back Cameron Nash to the ground, just as the fleet-footed rusher hauled in the toss. If Hereford hadn’t made the tackle, Nash had room to advance the ball. Instead, the tackle for loss forced a three-and-out.
“Our coaches told us to watch out for the screen and that the running back would step up,” Hereford said. “I wanted to make sure I could stay on my keys.”
On the consequent series, the JMU offense went 54 yards on nine plays into the end zone to take a 21-0 lead with 1:25 left in the first quarter.
Hereford remained active throughout the contest and when Central Connecticut State tried the screen pass again in the second quarter, Hereford was there again. For a second time in as many quarters, Nash was tackled in the backfield.
The 6-foot, 230-pound Hereford earned a start in place of senior Gage Steele at the MIKE linebacker spot.
Dukes coach Mike Houston said Steele “was banged up” and didn’t participate in practice last week.
“I didn’t hesitate with Brandon Hereford. He had a great spring and had a good camp,” Houston said. “I expected him to play well and he did.”
Houston added that Steele would be able to play this Saturday at North Carolina.
Throughout preseason training camp, Hereford battled sophomore Dimitri Holloway for the starting role at WILL linebacker, but eventually fell short. Holloway was more consistent in the final days of August, according to Houston.
Hereford stayed put at WILL on the two-deep, but he said coaches told him to learn the MIKE spot, too.
“Mainly the biggest difference is playing toward the field. The MIKE has to cover more ground,” Hereford said. “Earlier in the week, [coaches] said Gage was probably going to be out, so I worked hard all week.”
Hereford led JMU in tackles. Holloway was the team’s second-leading tackler with eight.
The Madison defense yielded only 224 total yards of offense and forced eight three-and-outs, which aided the Dukes offense.
JMU’s 56-point performance helped set a new school record for total points scored over a two-game span. In the first two weeks of the season, JMU (2-0) outscored its opponents 136-28.
“We gave up just 14 points on defense,” Houston said. “It’s much improved over what the program had last year, so the offense is getting the ball back more.”
Junior quarterback Bryan Schor threw three touchdowns on 17-for-21 passing for 205 yards in the win. Senior running back Khalid Abdullah and junior running back Cardon Johnson combined for 234 yards rushing and three rushing scores.
As a team JMU rushed for 312 yards. Last week, Central Connecticut State (0-2) gave up only 22 yards on the ground in its opening loss to Lafayette.
“I’ve coached against Montana. I’ve coached against Towson. I’ve coached against good football teams,” Central Connecticut State coach Pete Rossamondo said. “But there isn’t going to be many teams that have more talent than James Madison.”
Special teams also played a part in JMU’s win.
Senior Rashard Davis scored on a 75-yard punt return in the third quarter and senior John Miller scored on a 56-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
Houston said the two special teams touchdowns “put the game out of reach.”
