Johnson, Thornton lead James Madison to 51-14 win
HARRISONBURG, Va. -- — Cole Johnson threw for four touchdowns, Kris Thornton caught four TDs and James Madison beat Campbell 51-14 on Saturday.
Johnson and Thornton connected on three touchdown passes. Johnson finished with 259 yards on 11-of-21 passing while Thornton made eight catches for 142 yards.
The Dukes (8-1) led 10-7 after the first quarter then scored 17 second-quarter points, two on Johnson-to-Thornton passes, to lead 26-7 at halftime.
By the time Johnson added an 8-yard scoring run midway through the third quarter, the Dukes were up 36-7.
Hajj-Malik Williams was 19 of 33 for 268 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Fighting Camels (4-6), both to Caleb Snead, who had 198 yards on 11 catches, both single-game school records. Snead also set school records with single-season receptions (63) and career TD catches (25). Campbell lost three fumbles, two leading to Dukes scores.
Before the game, James Madison, ranked third in the FCS coaches poll, announced it would be leaving the Colonial Athletic Association to move up to the FBS and join the Sun Belt Conference. After this season, the Dukes will go through a two-year transition to the FBS and join the Sun Belt no later than July 1, 2023. The Dukes’ withdrawal from the CAA is effective June 30, 2022, the CAA said. JMU won the national FCS title in 2016 and reached the championship game twice since.
----
College Football News
South Carolina gets into game mode with... hide-and-seek?
The Gamecocks football team decides to let loose and play an intense game of hide-and-seek.
Perspectives from around college sports on NIL's one-year anniversary
When name, image and likeness came into effect last summer, we entered a new era of college sports. But navigating that came with challenges, questions and opportunities for those involved.
How Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel plans to keep the buzz building
Coming off a strong first season with the Vols, Josh Heupel talks about heightened expectations and pushing the team back to national prominence.
College football recruiting: From viral video sensations to 'Pancake Honcho,' what makes certain prospects so intriguing
From the baseball diamond to Ghana, some of the top 2023 prospects have backgrounds that make them stand out.
Why NIL has been good for college sports ... and the hurdles that remain
As Name, Image and Likeness allowances approach their one-year anniversary, Jay Bilas looks at the benefits and ongoing challenges on the subject.
Source: Mississippi State gives football coach Mike Leach extension and raise
Mississippi State is giving coach Mike Leach a two-year extension that bumps his annual salary up to $5.5 million, a source told ESPN's Alex Scarborough. Leach is 11-12 in two seasons with the Bulldogs with one bowl appearance.
2021 Big South Conference Standings
TEAM | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Kennesaw State | 7-0 | 11-2 |
Monmouth | 6-1 | 7-4 |
North Carolina A&T | 3-4 | 5-6 |
Robert Morris | 3-4 | 4-6 |
Charleston Southern | 3-4 | 4-6 |
Hampton | 3-4 | 5-6 |
North Alabama | 2-4 | 3-8 |
Campbell | 2-5 | 3-8 |
Gardner-Webb | 2-5 | 4-7 |
2021 Sun Belt Conference Standings
TEAM | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Appalachian State | 7-1 | 10-4 |
Georgia State | 6-2 | 8-5 |
Coastal Carolina | 6-2 | 11-2 |
Troy | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Georgia Southern | 2-6 | 3-9 |
TEAM | CONF | OVR |
Louisiana | 8-0 | 13-1 |
Texas State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
UL Monroe | 2-6 | 4-8 |
South Alabama | 2-6 | 5-7 |
Arkansas State | 1-7 | 2-10 |