Washington, DC: Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduced a resolution congratulating the James Madison University (JMU) football team for their outstanding and historic victory in the NCAA Division I-AA Championship game.

After completing regular season play with a record of 7-1 in the Atlantic 10 and tying for the conference title, JMU received an at-large-bid to compete in the I-AA playoffs and defeated Lehigh University, Furman University and the College of William and Mary to advance to the Championship game where they faced the University of Montana.

JMU ultimately defeated the University of Montana Grizzlies with a final score of thirty-one to twenty-one, before 16,771 fans and a national television audience, at the home field of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.  The JMU Dukes became the first team to win four straight road games in Division I-AA postseason history.  They completed the season with an impressive 13-2 record.

“I am proud to introduce this resolution honoring the hard work and determination of the James Madison University football team,” Goodlatte said.  “Their success on the playing field is emblematic of the excellence of the team as a whole and their deep desire to win no matter what the circumstances.  I offer my personal congratulations to JMU President Dr. Linwood Rose, Athletic Director Jeff Bourne, Head Coach Mickey Matthews, Offensive Coordinator Jeff Durden, Defensive Coordinator George Barlow and the entire JMU football team.”

This resolution, which was cosponsored by every member of the Virginia delegation, has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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