Delaware ended James Madison's playoff run by two points last November. On Saturday, the Dukes go back for the rematch at Frazer Field, with identical 5-2 records, and the winner finishes third in the MARC.
On November 1, 2025, at Temple-Ambler, Delaware beat JMU 24-22 in the MARC playoffs. Three points was the whole season: the Dukes were one penalty goal from advancing, and instead went home. A year on, the two sides meet again, the ledger even, the stakes decided.
Standings
St Joseph's and West Chester both run into Saturday 7-0, and they will settle the title between themselves. Everyone else plays for third.
Head to head
The sides have split their last two. JMU took the regular-season meeting last September at home, 44-15. Six weeks later, Delaware flipped it in the MARC playoff at Temple-Ambler, 24-22, on a penalty goal in the closing minutes that the Dukes never answered.
Form guide
JMU are 3-1 in their last four. Three wins (Maryland 26-12, Temple 34-17, Pittsburgh 47-15 on the road) sit around a 41-17 home loss to unbeaten West Chester. The Dukes' only other defeat this season was the opener at St Joseph's, 23-12. Beat everyone else. Lost to the finalists.
Delaware come in with four straight wins by an average score of 64 to 8, against Rowan (53-5), Pittsburgh (73-12), Temple (48-10), and Rutgers (84-7). The Hens have been scoring at will.
Keys to Saturday
Three things to watch.
From the sideline
This Saturday sees the Dukes travel to the University of Delaware to play a game that is basically a third-place playoff for the MARC championship. Both sides carry a 5-2 record and cannot catch St Joseph's and West Chester, who are playing against each other in the MARC Championship game.
Delaware and Madison are very evenly matched, and the game will come down to fine margins. Delaware has been very creative offensively, and the Dukes will be hard pressed to contain their offensive threat. As always, the Dukes will be up for the game and hope to put in a good performance to round off the season.
Matchday
Postseason rugby is what membership funds. If you have not joined yet, Saturday is a good day to fix that: become a member.
