Sam Houston State punter Joseph Figenshaw (42) delivers a punt directly into a pack of James Madison defenders during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
The Associated Press
HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - Khalid Abdullah and Trai Sharp combined for 285 yards rushing and five touchdowns and fourth-seeded James Madison advanced to the FCS semifinals with a 65-7 victory over fifth-seeded Sam Houston State on Friday night.
The Dukes (12-1) advance to play the winner of Saturday's matchup between five-time defending champion North Dakota State and South Dakota State. It will be the first trip to the semis for the Dukes since 2008, when they lost to Montana. Their only title came in 2004.
Friday's game matched the top two scoring offenses in FCS in the Bearkats (53.1) and Dukes (48.3), but only James Madison lived up to the billing with 607 yards total offense while the Dukes collected 270 yards, had two interceptions and two fumbles lost.
Sharp rushed for 144 yards and two scores and Abdullah 141 and three touchdowns. Bryan Schor was 13-of-17 passing for 251 yards and an interception while also rushing for a score. The Dukes had 251 yards receiving with one score, that by Jonathan Kloosterman.
The Dukes' Rashard Davis returned a punt 72 yards for a 21-0 first-quarter lead and Bryce Maginley returned a blocked punt 20 yards early in the second quarter to lead 28-0. It was 42-0 at halftime and 65-0 after three quarters.
James Madison's 65 points are the sixth-highest in playoff history and their margin of victory second-largest to Montana's 70-7 victory over Troy in 1996.
The Bearkats (12-1) were the last remaining undefeated FCS team and were denied a third straight trip the semifinals.
James Madison running back Trai Sharp (1) tries to fight his way out of the grip of Sam Houston State safety Adrian Contreras (7) as a penalty flag is thrown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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James Madison head coach Mike Houston watches his team during the first half of an NCAA football game against Sam Houston State in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP) )
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James Madison head coach Mike Houston, right, congratulates tight end Jonathan Kloosterman (88) after Kloosterman scored a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against Sam Houston State in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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James Madison wide receiver Domo Taylor (3) looks for a route around Sam Houston State linebacker Darion Flowers (40) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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Sam Houston State quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe (16) tries to get a pass off under pressure from James Madison defensive lineman Martez Stone (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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James Madison wide receiver Terrence Alls (7) powers through for extra yardage as Sam Houston State defensive end Marcus Loud (97) tries to hang on for the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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Sam Houston State running back Remus Bulmer (34) carries the ball as he looks for a gap along the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA football game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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James Madison wide receiver Domo Taylor (3) hangs onto the ball after hauling in a long pass as he gets sandwiched between Sam Houston State cornerback Carlos Teal (31), left, and safety Adrian Contreras (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
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Sam Houston State punter Joseph Figenshaw (42) fumbles as he is hit by James Madison safety Grant Westbrook (28) during the first half of an NCAA football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Austin Bachand/Daily News-Record via AP)
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Sam Houston State running back Remus Bulmer (34) runs past James Madison safety Jordan Brown (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (Austin Bachand/Daily News-Record via AP)
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