James Madison vaulted out to a 35-0 halftime advantage and went on to defeat North Carolina Central 56-7 in its 2008 home opener at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.

JMU improves to 1-1 for the season while NCCU falls to 0-2. The Dukes won their sixth straight home opener in their first-ever meeting with the Eagles. The Dukes reached the end zone in each of their first seven possessions, including all five in the first half. Altogether eight of ten drives resulted in touchdowns for JMU with one punt and a missed field goal.

JMU led in total yardage 449-203 with a decided advantage in rushing, 276-81.

Senior quarterback Rodney Landers led the Dukes in total offense, going 13-for-17 in the air with 164 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 31 yards on three carries with a score.

Three running backs each rushed for over 60 yards, led by senior Eugene Holloman with 88 yards on 14 carries while reaching the endzone once. Sophomore Griff Yancey scored twice with 71 yards on just four carries. Freshman Corwin Acker rushed 11 times for 69 yards with a touchdown.

Landers and sophomore Drew Dudzik combined to hit eight different receivers with freshman Kerby Long and Holloman each hauling in three catches, Long for 32 yards and Holloman for 27. Yancy had two receptions for 40 yards while senior tight end Mike Caussin had the only receiving touchdown for the Dukes.

Senior quarterback Stadford Brown threw for 122 yards on 16-for-33 passing with a touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Sophomore Tony McCord rushed ten times for 42 yards. Senior Wayne Blackwell was the top receiver, hauling in six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

JMU will be at home again next Saturday, September 13, when the Dukes open Colonial Athletic Association play with a 3:30 p.m. home game against Massachusetts. The game will be televised live on CN8.