If defense really does win championships, James Madison has to feel good about its chances for an FCS repeat.
The Dukes racked up five — count ‘em, FIVE — turnovers in the first quarter of Saturday’s semifinal matchup with South Dakota State. All came on SDSU's first five possessions of the game.
JMU finished the first stanza with three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one FCS single-season record, as the first of Jimmy Moreland’s two first-quarter picks put the Dukes into rarified air:
#FCSPlayoffs: Jimmy Moreland INT is James Madison's third takeaway of the game and 36th of the season - the new high in the FCS.
— FCS Football (@FCS_STATS) December 16, 2017
Let’s take a look at all five takeaways, and you can pick your favorite:
No. 1: A gigantic hit
The Dukes’ defensive unit is making plays early. A forced fumble halts SDSU’s drive and gives JMU the ball
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
JMU 0, SDSU 0 - 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/DFvPoxCLGf
No. 2: Some perfect timing
FUMBLE!!!
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
A second first quarter fumble sets JMU up deep in the red zone
JMU 0, SDSU 0 - 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/4haTnKoW6c
No. 3: Good post-INT celebration
Three drives, three takeaways.
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
This defense is
JMU 7, SDSU 0 - 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/IA4gdkdFUP
No. 4: A never-say-quit attitude
The defense comes up big AGAIN! James Madison comes up with its 4th takeaway in the opening quarter
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
JMU 7, SDSU 0 - 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/maJwms5BLy
No. 5: Jimmy Moreland, WR?
The Jacks get their first takeaway, BUT give it right back to the Dukes as Jimmy Moreland gets his second INT of the game
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
JMU 7, SDSU 0 - 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/StouvFcvKB
There’s a lot to like about all those turnovers: high motors on the forced fumbles and great ball tracking from Jimmy Moreland on his picks.
For the record, James Madison defensive coordinator Bob Trott probably didn't have a preference between any of the five. He likely just wanted his guys to keep it up.
So they did:
Jimmy Moreland has 3 interceptions tonight and his team has TEN TAKEAWAYS
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 17, 2017
JMU 51, SDSU 16 - 4Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPNU pic.twitter.com/jAph3UtZxO
What a night for the Dukes.
