when the Hall of Fame inducts an entire team it marks a day of profound significance our history is Rich with championships and glorious victories but a team induction signifies more than just Triumph on the field it celebrates a Brotherhood of players and coaches whose achievements transcend the scoreboard leaving a legacy that endures elevating the team the university and the entire Community such is the legendary tale of the 2004 James Madison University football [Music] team with five Atlantic 10 opponents ranked in the nation's top 25 jmu's prospects in the pre-season were lightly regarded until a midep clash with number five Villanova the sidelinez Thompson in Philadelphia JMU set a defensive team record for fewest yards allowed in a 17 to nothing shut out a month later the Dukes would face another ranked A10 team on the road at number 12 Maine in the waning seconds JMU trailed by three in the back field riscotti back to pass being Blitz throws one deep into the End Zone it is caught touchdown James Madison University DD Boxley each week Heroes emerged from offense defense and special teams all three phases of the game as the Dukes rolled into November for a homecoming matchup against defending national champion Delaware both teams were unbeaten in conference play and the contest was a game for the ages and for JMU special teams had never been so special Thompson at the 12 up to the 15 to the 20 has some Running Room goes outside gets the block 18 to the 30 up to the 40 to the 45 yd line has one man to meet the kicker races down the sideline to the 30 down to the 20 10 five touchdown James bison University no Flags no Flags the 20 to 13 Victory put JMU on top of the conference standings as they prepared to host longtime rival William and Mary neither team led by more than a single score but the tribe ended the duk's win streak on the final play of the game the setback marked a turning point for the Dukes with a win in their season finale at talson they secured a share of the Atlantic 10 title and a bid to the NCAA division onea playoffs the late season loss to William and Mary meant JMU would be on the road but it also brought out a physical toughness that the Dukes carried into their first playoff game at Lehigh seven JMU Defenders had at least one of the Duke's 11 quarterback sacks as JMU held on for a 1413 decision the following week JMU traveled to South Carolina to take on Ferman the Duke's defense and special teams kept JMU in the game until the offense put together one of the most memorable drives in program history Quick Pass complet pass complete and he's got his guy T 216 on the clock screen finds his man Elie riscotti looks throws catches complete fourth and goal HS carry touchdown he does advance to the semifinal what a comeback the win gave JMU a rematch with William and Mary on a Friday night in Williamsburg and right from the start it was all purple and gold for cassim Harris the backup tight end Campbell going over the middle for Thompson and it's picked off intercepted by Clint Ken Campbell the beat he cuts it back and he scores touchdown James Madison the tribe responded and took the lead early in the third period but on this night the Dukes would not be denied and they got a man open and a diving try and it's a touchdown What A Catch by Boxley down and iorio is going to be in touchdown James Madison and he's looking for the tight end again but he's covered so he goes to Bolton is wide open TouchDown James mad 27 unanswered points later JMU had become the first and only team to this day to reach the national championship game winning all of its games on the road in its first appearance in the national title game JMU faced a Montana program that had won titles in 1995 and 2001 the Dukes overcame a slow start and got on the board in the second quarter then JMU started to click and the Duke surged to the lead before half time touchdown James Madison JMU extended the lead in the third quarter only to see Montana rally on back-to- back possessions to lead 2117 Midway in the third period but jmu's physical running game was wearing down the Montana defense R Scotti on the keeper touchdown James Madison dropped eight and Oaks is going deep in their 33rd year of football the James Madison University Dukes emerged as national champions the Triumph on that rugged field in Chattanooga Tennessee Echoes through the decades marking the moment JMU football became a national Powerhouse the foundation of today's JMU program rest firmly on the shoulders of this legendary team of [Music] Champions ladies and gentlemen representing the 2004 national champions and Hall of Fame football team please welcome to the stage team captains Rodney mcarter Leon Steinfeld and Trey towns [Music] yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah oh [Music]