Richmond 35, James Madison 29

Oct 20, 2013, 08:01 pm

RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Strauss passed for four touchdowns in his first collegiate start and Kendall Gaskins ran for 106 yards and a score as Richmond handed James Madison its first Colonial Athletic Association loss with a 35-29 win Saturday.

After falling into a 10-6 deficit in the first, the Spiders (5-3, 3-2) scored 22 consecutive points on three touchdown passes by Strauss, including two to Kevin Finney.

Dae'Quan Scott jumpstarted James Madison's comeback try, accounting for 44 yards and a touchdown on a drive that cut Richmond's lead to 28-16. Gaskins' touchdown run extended the advantage to 35-16 early in the fourth, but Michael Birdsong passed for one score and ran for another to cut the Dukes' deficit to 35-29 with 35 seconds left.

James Madison (5-2, 3-1) recovered the ensuing onside kick and drove into Richmond territory, but failed on a Hail Mary try.

Strauss finished 27-of-43 passing for 271 yards.