HARRISONBURG — When James Madison fell behind New Hampshire early Saturday, the Dukes could have let a familiar feeling of postseason frustration resurface.

Its quarterback Bryan Schor, who hadn’t been sacked since September, was sacked on the opening drive, which led JMU to punt. The next possession wasn’t any better.

Schor threw his first interception since Oct. 8, and New Hampshire capitalized. The Wildcats turned the interception into seven points midway through the opening quarter.

In last year’s playoffs, JMU couldn’t catch Colgate after the Raiders jumped out to a 17-0 lead. The year before Liberty took a 10-0 advantage before JMU got on the scoreboard.

Both games resulted in early, one-and-done exits from the FCS Playoffs, but this time the initial deficit didn’t determine the outcome of the contest.

“The thing that I’m proud of is the maturity our team showed in not panicking,” JMU coach Mike Houston said.

JMU offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick said he didn’t think the team lost any of its energy after the setback.

“We really haven’t been down this year,” Kirkpatrick said. “Against Richmond we got behind early and in the one loss we had, we weren’t behind early. The kids hung in there and they were very determined.”

The same players who had trailed and lost previous playoff games responded with 31 unanswered points to take a 31-7 halftime lead, which eventually led to a 55-22 thumping of the Wildcats.

Schor threw for five touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Brandon Ravenel caught two touchdown passes and returned a kickoff for a score. Senior linebacker Gage Steele recorded an interception.

The early-exit stigma attached to JMU was removed.

“We had talked about it for the last two weeks that this team was different from the one that had been here the last two years,” Houston said. “It’s more of a complete team. It’s a much better defensive team and a much better special teams unit and still every bit as explosive as an offensive team.

“We played with a lot of intensity. I think those guys that have been here for several years, they had a sour taste in their mouth from the last two years.”

Junior defensive end Andrew Ankrah said it was important to finally get a playoff win.

“I never knew what it felt like it,” Ankrah said. “I have a lot of energy and I feel like I could play a few more games.”

The next task requires JMU’s experienced team to prepare more quickly.

Fourth-seeded JMU hosts fifth-seeded Sam Houston State in the quarterfinals Friday night, giving both teams six days instead of the normal seven days to get ready for kickoff.

Houston said he has altered the Dukes’ practice plan slightly.

“Everything moves up a day,” Houston said. “Monday becomes Tuesday and Tuesday becomes Wednesday. It’s that kind of deal.

“The big concern for me is the tight window of turnaround in recovery for the kids. We cut some things back Sunday and Monday at practice. We have mandatory treatment down in the training room. We’ve also put in a curfew this week so our guys can get a little more sleep. We’ve made sure they’ve gotten good meals. Again, the big concern is the crunch they put on their bodies. We’re trying to be conscientious of that, but prep-wise we’ll do the same thing. It’s just moved up a day.”