JMU decided to insert themselves into the game during the first half by throwing snowballs at Troy’s Evan Crenshaw, who was forced to punt the ball from the end zone with 4:23 left in the first quarter. Crenshaw shanked the punt, just reaching the 34-yard line. The snowballs may have served as a distraction for Crenshaw, but no penalty was called.
After expressing their concerns from the sidelines, James Madison’s athletic director, Matt Roan, had to ask the fans to stop.
“Officials and game management will throw a penalty,” Roan was seen saying on a microphone to the crowd. “Please stop throwing snow.”
A message also appeared on the video scoreboard that read: “Please be aware that the throwing of snowballs will result in immediate ejection from the game.”
James Madison managed to capitalize on the field position, kicking a field goal to take a 3-0 lead over Troy on a six-play, 11-yard drive.