JMU Stays Unbeaten With 13-6 Victory over Gardner-Webb (9-7-24)

By: Lamonte Thomas

All Photo Credit: Maliyah Allen-LMS Network

Harrisonburg had football in the air Saturday as the Running Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb (0-1) took on the Dukes of James Madison University (1-0). 

Both defenses played disciplined football as there was no score in the first quarter. Gardner-Webb ended the scoring drought with a 12-play, 48 yard drive capped by a 44-yard Jay Billingsley (Anderson, S.C) field goal to give the Running Bulldogs a 3-0 lead. Though both teams showed flashes of offense, the score remained 3-0 at the half.

James Madison got on the board after forcing a Gardner-Webb three and out, when Tyler Purdey (Chesterfield, MO) punched in 1-yd score to end a 10-play, 58 yard march for the Dukes; making the score 7-3. After Safety Jacob Thomas (Ashburn, VA) picked off a pass from Gardner-Webb’s Tyler Riddell, JMU widened the lead to 10-3 on a 48-yard three-pointer by Noe Ruelas (West Harford, CT). Gardner-Webb managed another field goal in the third quarter cutting the lead to 10-6 before JMU added three in the fourth quarter where the final score read 13-6. Defensive Back Chauncy Logan (Salem, VA) added another takeaway from JMU with an interception on the day, as the Dukes defense ensured JMU’s rushing touchdown was the only one of the day. George Pettaway (Suffolk, VA) rushed for 84 yards on the day, as Gardner-Webb running back Edward Saydee (Philadelphia, PA) racked up 87 yards on the ground on 22 carries.

JMU (2-0) will face UNC (2-0) at Kenan Stadium in two weeks while Gardner-Webb (0-2) will take on Charlotte (0-2) on 9/14.