James Madison's playoff chances are all but gone.

The Dukes lost their third-straight game Saturday afternoon against sixth-ranked Villanova, 27-0.

JMU head coach Mickey Matthews said in the past that the Dukes' magic number to make the FCS playoffs is eight. The best JMU can finish this season is 7-4.

JMU was blanked for the first time since 2003, when they fell to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg 47-0. It's the Dukes' first shutout defeat at home in 19 years.

Villanova was led by quarterback Chris Whitney who completed 11 of 16 passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns.

JMU freshman quarterback Justin Thorpe was 13 of 32, throwing for 144 yards while rushing for 65. Thorpe, who had a costly fumble in last week's loss to No. 1 Richmond, turned the ball over twice which resulted in two scores for the Wildcats.

JMU finished with 260 total yards to Villanova's 318.

The Dukes (2-4) are off to their worst start in eight years.