HARRISONBURG — Lost in the record-setting offensive output and solid defensive effort Saturday was the strong showing from James Madison’s special teams.

In the third quarter, senior Rashard Davis returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown. He caught the kick on a bounce, and after evading an initial would-be tackler, raced down the right sideline and into the end zone.

“Honestly, the punt return is a blur,” Davis said. “I just saw open grass, so I ran.”

Davis, along with Terrence Alls, John Miller, Brandon Ravenel, Charles Tutt and Robbie Walker competed for the kick and punt return duties throughout preseason camp. Ravenel opened the game as the starting kick returner and Davis was the starting punt returner.

JMU’s special teams are coached by John Bowers.

Dukes sophomore place-kicker Tyler Gray — starting for the first time Saturday — made all 11 extra-point attempts and converted a 28-yard field goal at the end of the first half.

Fourth String RB Scores Three TDs

JMU coach Mike Houston said throughout the preseason that he knew his team had depth at running back. It showed Saturday when two running backs eclipsed the 100-yard mark and two running backs scored multiple touchdowns.

Sophomore Trai Sharp ran for 100 yards and junior Cardon Johnson for 104 yards. Johnson had two rushing scores and fourth-string back Taylor Woods scored three touchdowns on 15 carries for 89 yards.

“We have tremendous depth,” Houston said. “We have a lot of playmakers, so I think you look at our fourth running back — he’s pretty darn good.”

Mitch Shaky In Debut

While starting quarterback Bryan Schor enjoyed a three-rushing-touchdown performance against Morehead State, his understudy — South Carolina transfer Connor Mitch — had limited reps to impress when he entered the game in the second half.

Mitch didn’t complete a pass and threw an interception. He also carried twice for 16 yards.

“Connor, I thought, did a fine job when he got in there,” Houston said. “He had the one throw that I don’t know if it was a poor decision and we’ll look at the film, but other than that, he did a good job leading the offense.”

Hyman Out With Undisclosed Injury

Junior wide receiver Ishmael Hyman did not dress for Saturday’s game.

JMU sports information director Chris Brooks said Hyman had an “undisclosed injury” prior to the Dukes and Eagles kicking off. Hyman hasn’t practiced for the last two weeks.

The ex-Kansas Jayhawk hauled in 23 catches for 379 yards and four touchdowns in 2015 for Madison.

Starting running back Khalid Abdullah ran for 43 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.