Thorpe, defense lead JMU past Delaware 20-8

NEWARK, Del. — Justin Thorpe ran for one touchdown and threw for another while James Madison’s defense registered eight sacks as the Dukes defeated Delaware 20-8 on Saturday.

Trailing 3-0 at halftime, the Dukes (3-5, 1-4 Colonial Athletic Association) scored all three of its touchdowns in the second half to snap a four-game losing streak and post its first victory at Delaware since 1994.

After being shut out in the first half, the Dukes had gone 12 straight quarters without a touchdown. But Thorpe scored on a 12-yard run early in the third quarter and then threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Charlie Newman later in the period.

Thorpe went 11-for-15 for 262 yards while rushing for 42 yards on 11 carries. Rockeed McCarter caught three passes for 125 yards.

The Dukes finished with a 386-224 advantage in total yards, which included a 287-107 edge in the second half.

Arthur Moats had 2.5 sacks for the Dukes while Sam Daniels added two.

Pat Devlin went 19-for-42 for 215 yards with two interceptions for the Hens (3-3, 5-3). Jon Striefsky kicked a pair of field goals for the Hens, and their final points came when the Dukes intentionally took a safety with 42 seconds remaining.