James Madison Vs. WVU: Mountaineers Try To Dodge Upset

After an off week, West Virginia plays its second game of the season on Saturday at 4:30, against James Madison at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

The Mountaineers will, of course, be big favorites against the Dukes, who play in the Colonial Athletic Association. But JMU beat Virginia Tech two years ago, and WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen plans to use the Hokies' loss as a cautionary tale.

"(We'll) probably have something on the highlight tape that references it," he said. "We did last year when we played Norfolk State. That’s what everybody references. It’s happening more and more. Back when Appalachian State beat Michigan, that was the talk of the year. That’s happening pretty much every week now.

Arkansas lost to Louisiana-Monroe in a high-profile upset last week, and Holgorsen doesn't want the No. 9-ranked Mountaineers to tumble down the rankings as the result of a similarly-embarrassing loss.

James Madison itself blew out St. Francis (PA) and Alcorn State in its first two games. In the win over Alcorn State, Dae'Quan Scott and Justin Thorpe each rushed for over 100 yards. Seven Dukes rushed for at least 38 yards against St. Francis. Obviously, though, they'll have an uphill climb on Saturday against a much higher caliber of competition.

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