Liberty outlasts James Madison 26-21

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- D.J. Abnar finished with two rushing touchdowns and Nicky Fualaau had the go-ahead score with 2:53 remaining as Liberty knocked off James Madison 26-21 in the first round of the FCS playoffs Saturday. Abnar scored on a 7-yard run and John Lunsford booted a 56-yard field goal to pull Liberty (9-4) within one in the third quarter. Josh Woodrum orchestrated a 17-play, 85-yard drive that exhausted 11 minutes off the clock and ended with Fualaau's plunge for the score. Woodrum was stopped on the two-point try, keeping it at 26-21. Vad Lee drove James Madison (9-4) to the Liberty 27 late, but his pass to Daniel Brown on fourth down was broken up by Kenny Scott . Woodrum threw for 244 yards and two interceptions. Jauan Latney had 119 yards rushing with a touchdown for the Dukes. Liberty will face sixth-seeded Villanova in the second round on Dec. 6.