The University of Pittsburgh scored two tries in the final five minutes to come back to beat James Madison 31-27 in a crucial Keystone West matchup.

JMU, having moved up to DIAA from DII, was undefeated going into this game, as was Pitt.

In a tough first half, the teams were deadlocked 12-12 at the break. Pitt started the second half well and scored early, but JMU scored on an interception, and then scored two minutes later. A third Madison try made it 27-17.

Slowly, though, Pitt began to regain the momentum and camped out in the JMU 22. It took them about ten minutes to finally push the ball over the line. With Christian Quiros slotting the conversion, it was now 27-24. 

With no time left, Aidan Nuttall went over with his second try of the day to win it 31-27.

“It was a back and forth game,” said Pitt Coach Allan Murray. “JMU had very strong forwards and excellent defensive structure in their backline. We were stifled on offense.”

Murray said Pitt didn’t make too many adjustments at halftime, except to discuss trying to take more penalty kick opportunities, advice that proved moot as the opportunities didn’t come. However, said the coach, the players just worked hard.

“The boys just showed heart and dug deep,” said Murray. 

Also in the Keystone, St. Joseph’s escaped a tough Rutgers team 15-14 on Friday night to stay undefeated in the East. Temple moved to 2-1 with a big win over West Chester. Rutgers is at 2-2 and in 2nd place, and now has to hope Temple loses to Villanova in order to make the Keystone playoffs.

St. Joe’s has clinched a playoff spot, but not the #1 seed, but they play 0-3 West Chester next week.

Pitt finishes its regular season with the #1 seed from the West, and JMU, by virtue of getting two bonus points Saturday, has clinched the #2 seed.