Sept 27, 2003

Final Stats

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Steve Baylark ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns to lead Massachusetts to a 31-26 win over James Madison on Saturday.

Jeff Krohn passed for 214 yards and two touchdowns as the Minutemen (3-1, 2-0 Atlantic 10) overcame 14 penalties for 140 yards and held off a late James Madison rally.

Matt LeZotte completed 21 of 32 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Dukes (2-2, 1-1).

Massachusetts led 31-13 after Baylark's second touchdown, a 1-yard run less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. But the Dukes, who came back from a 17-0 deficit last week to beat Hofstra, nearly came back to win again.

LeZotte threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Tahir Hinds to cap a 54-yard drive with 10:47 to play. Then Isaiah Dottin-Carter returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown with 6:05 to play to pull James Madison within 31-26.

The Dukes twice drove into Massachusetts territory in the final minutes, but the Minutemen defense held.

Massachusetts took a 17-6 halftime lead on touchdown passes to Rich Demers and Jason Peebler. Peebler caught eight passes for 116 yards.

James Madison's starting tailback, Alvin Banks, went out with a knee injury on the Dukes' first drive and did not play again.