The James Madison Dukes travel to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon for a first round FCS playoff matchup. Number 17 JMU is facing an Eastern Kentucky team that was on the bubble at 7-4, but managed to get an at-large berth out of the Ohio Valley Conference last Sunday. While the CAA boasts five FCS playoffs squads, the OVC is still looking for its first playoff win in sixteen games. The selection committee's decision to send JMU on the road to Kentucky has been questioned all week.
This is the first time these schools have faced each other. Both are led by workhorse running backs, who should be featured for much of the afternoon. EKU's Matt Denham averages 131.4 yards per game, good enough for 4th in the FCS. JMU's Dae'Quan Scott is coming off a 251 yard performance against UMass. This is JMU's 10th appearance in the playoffs. The winner will face the number two overall seed, North Dakota State, next Saturday in the second round.
James Madison (7-4) vs. Eastern Kentucky (7-4)
Roy Kidd Stadium, Richmond, Kentucky
12:00 ET, Broadcast on ESPNU