Louisville, Kentucky – The weather cooperated this evening, and the return of James Madison QB Todd Centeio from injury indicated what had been hoped for, a competitive game, but several penalties against Louisville late in the game, though correctly called, riled-up the Louisville crowd. The energy behind the team to spurred the Cardinals past James Madison, 34-10.
The teams, playing for the first time fought to a well-played 10-10 halftime struggle. However, somewhat controversial penalties in the final period fired up the Cardinals. Their defense played stingier and big plays overcame a very strong, hard-hitting JMU defense to earn their sixth victory to make the Louisville Cards (6-3) bowl eligible. For collegefootballfan.com, the James Madison Dukes (5-3) became our 131st FBS teams seen in action in our 657th game attended. They joined the Sun Belt Conference this year after many successful seasons at the top of the FCS level.
Defense, Defense!
The return of QB Todd Centeio to JMU bode well after having lost in an upset to Marshall last week, 26-12. However, the Louisville defense held Centeio far below his passing stats holding him to only four completions for 15 attempts and only 45 passing yards. The Dukes, a nickname derived from their President from 1919-1949, Samuel Page Duke, scored on their first possession to take a 3-0 lead on Camden Wise’s 34-yard FG. Louisville overcame the lead on the next series with Cunningham hitting TE Isaac Martin on a one-yard sprint out pattern to finalize a 75-yard drive. Fourth down stops by both defenses took back possession on downs.
Not until 1:49 remained in the second period, did JMU score with Percy Agyei-Obese (24/102 yards, one TD) running it in from the nine. Malik Cunningham (14/20 passes, 253 yards, three TDs) tossed a 44-yard pass to Tyler Hudson (6 catches for 142 yards) to get to the JMU four on the next Louisville possession. The Duke’s defense sacked Cunningham for six yards and dropped him back a yard on two subsequent runs. Louisville settled for a 28-yard FG by James Turner to even the score as the first half ended, 10-10. The JMU lived up to its reputation in the first half standing up to a Power Five school for the first time ever.
A Full Salute to the US Military
U of L celebrated Military Appreciation Day honoring veterans and local bases from nearby. The US Army band performed at the half with the LU Marching band and Alumni as well as local high school marching bands. Commanders of Units from nearby Fort Knox were introduce as well as a flight crew of Air Force reservists who flew over prior to the game. It was fitting celebration nearing Veterans’ Day this Friday, November 11 when the team travels for its next game.
Louisville takes charge
Louisville drove from its 25 on the first series of the second half resulting with another FG by Turner, this time for 37 yards. After a three and out, the Cardinals started the next drive taking a punt from their 29. Suddenly, Louisville overcame the very tough JMU defense on one nap of the football. RB Tiyvon Evans ( 10 runs for 126 yards, one TD) took the ball over left tackled, broke past the line and sped 71 yards down the left side for a TD burst to put the Cards up, 20-10.
Tempers flare
Momentum started to build for Louisville. However, a controversial call came about turning this basically well-played, hard-fought games into one heated contest. Louisville forced the beleaguered James Madison offense to a punt following another three-and-out. Fielding the punt on a fair catch, a Duke defender got blocked and pushed running into the returner. He touched the ball and JMU recovered. The officials initially threw the flag for interference, but upon their review, they reversed the call noting the defender had been blocked into the receive on the play.
The call fell on deaf ears among most the 42,157 in attendance clad in Cardinal garb. They saw the tackle as a cheap, illegal shot and either didn’t want to know or hear what the referees (and collegefooballfan.com) saw. The booing, jeering, and name calling continued as JMU tool possession back at the Louisville 30. The intensity mounted. It made the game fun to be honest. To the vindication of the Cardinal faithful, the subsequent 52-yard FG attempt by the purple and white visitors fell short. The Dukes got what they deserved from their perspective.
Heat turns up in Louisville
Leading 20-10 going into the final period, the Cardinals started a drive from the 30 once again. Cunningham, who carried 15 times for “0” yards (JMU totaled ten TFLs), reared back and fired a pass 44 yards to WR Tyler Hudson (10 catches, 126 yards, one TD) for a TD and an expanding 27-10 lead. JMU gained two yards on its next possession and punted putting the Cardinals’ start from their 35. Five plays moved Louisville to the James Madison 12. They next play was even more physical and controversial than the previous punt interference call.
Cunningham ran five yards where he got shoved and eventually pushed into the stadium wall by LB Taurus Jones. The two attracted a crowd from the JMU sideline and Louisville players who came to Cunningham’s aid. Security officers and coaches along the sideline intertwined with players. Right below our seats in section 203, we could not see the entire melee. The refs sorted the teams out and huddled in between both sidelines to figure things out. JMU HC Curt Cignetti seemed adamant that the officials check the replay. Initially, they called for a late hit out of bounds and ejected Jones from the game to the favor of the home patrons.
Upon further review…
After many minutes, the Referee stated the next controversial call. One local Card fan said they were intentionally looking for one. Don’t know that it was intentional, but when they finally showed the replay on the video board, Cunningham was seen grabbing Jones’s face mask and pulling him along as the went farther out of bounds. Offsetting penalties. Do over! Of course, the Louisville fans could not agree.
The boos came down as did some thrown objects (no golf balls, however). Jones, No. 44, came back on the field to play. That didn’t sit well with Louisville fans. He was ejected, they thought. JMU held Louisville to a fourth and four at the 11. HC Scott Satterfield, possibly off the proverbial hot-seat now, decided to forgo a field goal. From there, Cunningham fired a TD pass to Ahman Huggins-Bruce for the score to make it 34-10 with 6:28 left.
Next up!
For the first time in the second half, the Dukes picked up two first downs before punting. The Cardinals proceeded to run out the clock. Conferring with several Louisville fans nearby regarding the out-of-town scoreboard showing the Notre Dame win over Clemson, they chagrined. Next week, the Cardinals and collegefootballfan.com will be visiting Clemson Memorial Stadium. Collegefooballfan.com attends a game there for the first time. Louisville fans fear going there against the now, once-beaten Tigers having lost to the Fighting Irish this week, 35-14. Maybe Satterfield should just show his players the films from this week to get them heated up. Maybe that will charge his Cardinals up to face the charged-up Tigers.
JMU, loser of three straight after starting 5-0, heads to Old Dominion in Norfolk, VA next week. The Monarchs are 3-6 and also riding a three-game losing streak. Dukes beware though, they’ve beaten Power Five Virginia Tech (2-7 though), but even more so, 8-1 Coastal Carolina.
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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all! If you like this story, read all our tales when we saw all 120 FBS teams (at the time of publication) play for the first time. We also encourage you to submit a review when you do. Please click on the title or copy of the cover on our right sidebar to go to our Amazon page to buy and review. Thanks!
