UR holds down JMU: Defense turns back Landers; Howell's late pick seals win.

Byline: John Packett

Oct. 28--HARRISONBURG -- The University of Richmond defense had a huge task facing them in yesterday's Colonial Athletic Association showdown -- dealing with James Madison quarterback Rodney Landers.

Landers was coming off a school-record offensive performance but the Spiders were able to keep the junior -- with one exception -- under wraps, and that was the difference in No. 14 UR's 17-16 victory over the sixth-ranked Dukes.

"He's more of a running back," said UR linebacker Eric McBride, who helped hold Landers to 79 yards rushing. "We know we have one of the best rushing defenses in the nation, period. We felt so confident that we could stop him. We just knew we'd come together and play the best we've ever played."

The Spiders did allow a 61-yard touchdown pass from Landers to wideout Bosco Williams just before halftime that changed the momentum. Other than that, the Dukes could only muster three second-half field goals, and UR hung on to …