JMU Edges Villanova in Quarterfinals

HARRISONBURG, Va., Dec. 6 -- With top-ranked James Madison trailing Villanova by a field goal with less than two minutes remaining in a division I-AA quarterfinal on Saturday, Coach Mickey Matthews sent in an unusual play.

With the Dukes having first and goal inside the 1-yard line, Matthews told quarterback Rodney Landers not to score. Don't lose the ball, he said, but don't cross the goal line either.

"That was the hardest thing I ever had to do," Landers said.

Landers did what he was told, falling down on the quarterback sneak just short of the goal line. On the next play, he scored, running off right tackle into the end zone. His touchdown gave the Dukes a 31-27 victory at Bridgeforth Stadium that propelled them into the semifinals.

JMU (12-1) will host No. 4 seed Montana, a 24-13 winner over Weber State, either Friday or Saturday for the chance to go to the national championship game.

Matthews's unorthodox strategy was an effort to use up the clock so that Villanova (10-3) didn't have much time to answer.

"We were on the six-inch line, and if I really had a lot of whatever, I would have told him not to score on second down," Matthews said. "I had a lot of confidence in our offensive line and Rodney."

Matthews need not have worried, because his defense, which had played well the entire game, wasn't about to let the Wildcats near the end zone. Safety Marcus Haywood intercepted Chris Whitney's pass at the 42-yard line with 40 seconds to play, sealing JMU's victory.

The Dukes held their CAA rival to 81 rushing yards, well below their 228.2-yard average.

"They got better from the last time we played," Whitney said. "They tackled a lot better this time."

Landers, a senior who is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton award, rushed for 143 yards and one touchdown and threw for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He became the school's single-season leader for touchdown passes with 22. He is one of only five division I-AA players to have rushed for more than 3,000 yards and passed for more than 3,000 yards in his career.

"We're in the final four right now because of one guy," Matthews said. "Whenever we get in trouble, Rodney delivers. Lord have mercy, he's a great player."