Plucky James Madison is Group of Five fodder

Clearly overmatched, Dukes put up a valiant fight against Oregon before losing in CFP.

- BY ANDREW DESTIN

LYDIA ELY Associated Press.

GEORGE PETTAWAY (6), a running back for James Madison, evades Oregon linebacker Brayden Platt to catch a touchdown pass on Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

Perhaps it was James Madison going for it twice on fourth down on its first drive of the game.

Or, maybe it was coach Bob Chesney calling for a wide receiver pass on the Dukes’ second series of the evening. Even 12th-ranked James Madison successfully pulling off a fake punt could have adequately explained what the scoreboard failed to convey.

It was clear that the fifth-ranked Oregon Ducks were in a different class than their visitors in a 51-34 win in a College Football Playoff first-round matchup Saturday at Autzen Stadium. Oregon led 48-13 midway through the third quarter before the Dukes added three late touchdowns to make the final score appear closer than the game really was.