CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Jordan McCloud threw a career-high five touchdown passes — three to Elijah Sarratt — and No. 24 James Madison rebounded from its only loss to rout Coastal Carolina 56-14 on Saturday.
Transitioning from FCS to the bowl subdivision, the Dukes (11-1, 7-1 Sun Belt) were turned down twice by the NCAA in a bid for a waiver that would make them eligible for the league title game next week as East Division champions — and potentially a New Year's Six bowl invite as the top Group of Five team.
But James Madison lost in overtime, 26-23, at home to Appalachian State a week ago. The school said in a statement earlier this week that loss “changed the landscape in terms of the nature and timing of our legal options, including the diminished viability of a lawsuit against the NCAA.”
McCloud’s final three TD passes came in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand. The sixth-year player surpassed his old touchdown mark, which he tied three times previously this season. He was 26 of 35 for 324 yards and also ran for a score. Sarratt had six catches for 107 yards.
McCloud and the Dukes dismissed the off-the-field issues in pounding the Chanticleers (7-5, 5-3).
McCloud started the scoring with a 1-yard TD run, then connected with Reggie Brown for a 29-yard score. A pair of short rushing touchdowns by Sarratt and Ty Lawton, the latter just 38 seconds before halftime had the Dukes rolling with a 28-0 lead.
Coastal Carolina would have advanced to the league championship game with a win. Instead, the Chants stumbled badly in the regular-season finale and managed just 74 yards rushing.
THE TAKEAWAY
James Madison: It was a strong response from the Dukes, who saw their undefeated run come to end a week ago at home against Appalachian State. James Madison is expected to get a bowl game because it tops the list of programs who will play in the postseason if there aren't enough six-win teams to fill the postseason slots.
Coastal Carolina: Chants fans got a stir when it was announced injured quarterback Grayson McCall would start and warmed up pre-game. But McCall, the three-time Sun Belt player of the year, didn't get into the contest. He's missed the past five games with a head injury.
UP NEXT
James Madison: Likely headed for its first bowl game.
Coastal Carolina: Awaits bowl destination.
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