Jawon Hamilton's Run Into History Will Never Be Topped
Jawon Hamilton's Run Into History Will Never Be Topped
Jawon Hamilton's 99-yard run was the early boost JMU needed to overcome VMI and advance to the FCS quarterfinal round.

Jawon Hamilton accomplished the next-to-impossible feat in James Madisonβs 31-24 FCS Playoffs win over VMI of setting a record that will never be broken.
Now, applying the word never to any accomplishment in sports might come across like a hot take; a hyperbolic, knee-jerk reaction to witnessing the improbable and wanting to assign it particular gravity.
But in the case of Hamiltonβs first-quarter touchdown run, the longest in FCS Playoffs history, it can never be broken β not without the NCAA adding an extra yard to field length sometime in the future.
Someone could technically match Hamiltonβs 99-yard scoring scamper, but itβs only slightly more likely than never. Just ask James Madison coach Curt Cignetti, who has seen a lot of football in his day.
βIβve only ever seen a 99-yard touchdown run one other time in my life. That was Tony Dorsett on Monday Night Football against the [Minnesota] Vikings,β Cignetti said. βThat was a long time ago.β
Thirty-eight years ago, to be exact.
Tony Dorsett rushes 99 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.
In 2018, Derrick Henry matched Dorsettβs iconic, 1983 touchdown. But like Hamilton, Dorsettβs record can never be broken, and any replication of the feat will always come with the qualifier of who came first.
Hamiltonβs 99-yarder did not come with just 10 offensive players on the field like Dorsettβs, but the Dukes came onto the field after VMI quarterback Seth Morganβs pooch punt was downed at the 1-yard line showing a new look.
βThat was kind of a new personnel group, a new look they hadnβt seen from us,β Cignetti said.
One player in that changed-up personnel grouping central to Hamiltonβs dash to history was fellow running back Solomon Vanhorse.
Hamilton and Vanhorse lined up with quarterback Cole Johnson, not quite halfway into the end zone. Hamilton took the handoff from Johnson, then at about the line of scrimmage, cut right off-tackle.
βHe spit out of there, and I knew he had a chance,β Cignetti said. βAnd then here came Vanhorse. Vanhorse outran everybody, he made a key block, and there was never any doubt after that.β
Hamilton described his approach when taking the handoff from Johnson as simply looking for positive yards; giving the offense more room to operate on second down. But upon seeing the opening to his right where he cut, the prospect of the unimaginable with a 99-yard touchdown became possible.
And Hamilton got to watch the play unfold with the best view thanks to the Bridgeforth Stadium jumbotron.
βI looked up on the big screen, and I seen all the space, then I seen Solomon running behind me,β Hamilton said. βMade a key block, then I knew I was good then.β
Vanhorseβs tenacious sprint down the right side outpaced the entire Keydets defense and held off the two deepest would-be tacklers as Hamilton trotted to pay dirt.
Jawon Hamilton.
β JMU Football (@JMUFootball) April 25, 2021
FCS playoff record holder. #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/1sXbmlytpo
The teamwork from the Dukes running backs to make the moment possible reflects the camaraderie that has made that position so vital to James Madisonβs success.
βThat running-back room, for a long timeβs been a really good room,β Cignetti said. βThat all started with coach [Matt] Merritt.β
Merritt left for a position at UCF β which, when Josh Heupel accepted the opening at Tennessee, became a job in the SEC β but the attitude established in the 2019 season remains.
Hamilton β who came to James Madison from UCF, coincidentally, told FloFootball in 2019 that βif Solomon scores a touchdown, Iβm just as excited as if I just scored a touchdown.β
The record is Hamiltonβs, but Vanhorseβs contribution embodies the same spirit.
With Hamilton getting his jumbotron view of the play, he doesnβt need to relive the clip on YouTube. He said heβs ready to look to whateverβs next, which starts May 2 when the Dukes host North Dakota in the national quarterfinals.
And even if Hamilton never watches a replay, Cignetti put it best: βThatβs something heβll remember forever.β
So will the NCAA record books.
Related Content
- James Madison vs. Desert Vista - 2022 Desert Vista vs Madison
Sep 4, 2022
- James Madison vs. Desert Vista - 2022 Desert Vista vs Madison
Sep 4, 2022
- Former CAA Players Sign NFL Contracts, Minicamp Invites
May 6, 2022
- It's James Madison & North Dakota State, One Last Time
Dec 16, 2021
- Powerhouse Montana Has Significance For James Madison
Dec 8, 2021
- JMU-SELA Playoffs Dubbed "The Cole Bowl," and More
Dec 1, 2021
- CAA Notebook: Successful And History-Making Season In The Books
Nov 24, 2021
- Cole Johnson Closes Walter Payton Award Case
Nov 23, 2021
- Replay: Towson vs James Madison | Nov 20 @ 2 PM
Nov 20, 2021