HARRISONBURG, Va.– Ben DiNucci threw for 240 yards and matched his career high passing for  four touchdowns, Percy Agyei-Obeseran scored a pair of touchdowns and 2nd-ranked James Madison beat Morgan State 63-12 at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.
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The senior completed 18 of 23 passes with no interceptions in just over two quarters of action for JMU, which scored on four of its first five possessions.Â
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The Dukes (2-1) had nine different receivers, six of which caught touchdown passes. Brandon Polk led  the way with six receptions for 67 yards, including a 48-yarder for a touchdown. Devin Ravenel (3 rec., 40 yds) scored the game's first points when he hauled in a 9-yard pass from DiNucci, and Jawon Hamilton turned a swing pass into a 50-yard score and running back Solomon Vanhorse added a 19-yard TD reception.
DiNucci's final two passes came after a lightning delay that lasted over an hour as the stadium was cleared.
Backup quarterback Cole Johnson and Gage Moloney each added TD passes for a Dukes offense that rolled up 507 yards on 72 total plays.
Ravenal also grabbed an onside kick and returned it 43 yards to score.
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JMU capitalized on a pair of Morgan State turnovers during the early going to take a 14-0 lead. The first miscue came on a 4thand 1 from the Bears 34. Redshirt sophomore quarterback DJ Golatt gained the first down but JMU's Dimitri Holloway ripped the ball free and recorded the fumble recovery. The second turnover occured when Golatt was chased toward the sideline and attempted to throw the ball away but it was intercepted by Adam Smith. Both mistakes turned out to be costly and Golatt was replaced in the lineup by senior DeAndre Harris.
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JMU led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and 35-3 at halftime.Â
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The Bears (0-2) finished the game just 2 for 13 in third down attempts, while JMU went 10 for 15. JMU held a 27 to 12 advantage in first down conversions.
DeAndre Harris and senior wideout Manasseh Bailey were bright spots for the Bears offense. Harris finished the night completing 11 of 21 passes for 253 yards. Bailey posted a career-high with 172 yards on four receptions, including the Bears first touchdown of the season on a 72-yard pass from Harris in the fourth quarter.Â
Morgan State finished with a season-high 337 yards of total offense on 58 plays.
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JMU rushed for 209 yards on 39 carries to balance its passing attack, while holding the Bears to 79 yards on the ground.
Up Next
The Bears will hit the road for their third and final non-conference matchup when they head north to face Army West Point on Saturday, Sept. 21. The game will be broadcast live on WEAA, 88.9FM. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
Notes:
Freshman RB Jabriel Johnson finished with 50 yards on 16 carries.
Senior LB Ian McBorrough and redshirt sophomore SS Simeon Gatlin led the Bears defense with 7 tackles apiece.Â
James Madison improves its series record against Morgan State to 2-0 since they first met in 1995.
JMU was also +3 in the turnover margin, forcing two interceptions in addition to Holloway's fumble recovery.
