SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 15, 2012
No. 8 West Virginia 42, James Madison 12: Geno Smith threw for 411 yards and five touchdowns as the Mountaineers throttled James Madison in the Virginia 529 Classic at Washington's FedEx Field.
Three of Smith's scoring passes went to Stedman Bailey, who hauled in a career-high 13 catches for 173 yards as No. 8 West Virginia (2-0) improved to a perfect 13-0 against FCS opponents. Wideout Tavon Austin also had a spectacular day with 11 receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Smith, among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy, completed 34 of 39 passes without an interception. The senior has thrown for 15 touchdowns and zero picks in his last three games dating back to last season's Orange Bowl win over Clemson.
The Mountaineers bolted to a 28-0 lead with less than five minutes gone in the second quarter on a short touchdown run from Shawne Alston and TD passes from Smith to Bailey (two) and Dante Campbell.
Jauan Latney scored from 20 yards out in the final minute of the game for the only touchdown for James Madison (2-1), ranked No. 5 in the FCS poll.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bailey became the first Mountaineer wideout to score three TDs and surpass 150 yards receiving in one game. ... The Dukes, who outscored their first two opponents 97-10, recorded the first safety against West Virginia since North Carolina accomplished the feat in December, 2008. ... Smith has thrown for 8,191 career yards with 65 touchdown passes vs. only 15 interceptions.