Last-second field goal lifts JMU football to win at Albany, 31-28

Redshirt junior kicker Ryan Maglio (Midlothian, Va./Cosby) split the uprights for his first collegiate field goal, a 34-yarder with four seconds left, propelling James Madison to a 31-28 victory at No. 23 UAlbany in Colonial Athletic Association football Saturday at Bob Ford Field.

The Dukes improved to 3-3 and 1-2 in league play, while the Great Danes dropped to 4-1 and 1-1 in the CAA.

UA scored with 55 seconds to play in regulation, Madison got the ball on its own 35 to start the drive. The Dukes moved quickly down the field, including three plays of 10-plus yards to get the ball in position at the Albany 17. On second down and the first field goal attempt, the snap was mishandled but smartly spiked to give JMU another opportunity. From there, the snap and hold were perfect and Maglio hit the game-winning field goal.

The two teams were similar in yards gained as UA had 420 to JMU’s 416, with the Dukes rushing for 239 yards on the night against a UA team that averaged giving up just 72 rushing yards in its first four contests. Madison converted 10-of-17 third down attempts and recorded a season-high-tying four sacks on the night.