The date was Sept. 6. Nineteen days ago.

The Red Sox and Yankees were playing their second to last game of the season, the NFL was still a day away from beginning its first full week, students across the country were completing their first week back in the classroom and the Massachusetts football team beat Central Connecticut State 51-7 in its season opener at Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

Since that date, the Red Sox and Yankees have both sewn up playoff berths for all intents and purposes, the NFL is heading into Week 4, students are finding themselves faced with their first sets of exams, and the Minutemen (2-1, 1-0 Atlantic 10) have traveled first to I-A national power Kansas State, and then to two-time defending Atlantic 10 champion Maine.

So now, two weeks and several thousand miles later, a battle-tested UMass squad will finally return home this weekend from its lengthy but successful hiatus, and face James Madison Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium, where it is a solid 16-5 against A-10 opponents all-time under coach Mark Whipple.

“Those were two very hard trips, although it was positive to get a win at Maine,” Whipple said. “There’s a certain comfort level playing at home, and after a tremendous win last week, that makes this week’s game a huge one.

“This game is important, and we can’t afford to take a step back. There needs to be the sense of urgency there has been over the last few weeks.”

The Minutemen need not be reminded of the strength of a JMU squad that was one yard away from taking the Maroon and White to overtime last year. In fact, last season’s 14-7 thriller, in which a fumble recovery by Shannon James as time expired on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line saved the day for UMass, is fresh in the minds of Whipple and his team.

“I hope [what happened last year] will be fresh on their minds, because we’ve certainly showed them enough tape of it.” Whipple said. “They played us very tough last year and we were fortunate to come away with a win. Now they have a lot of their guys back, and we expect a hard-fought game.”

Experience is certainly something the Dukes and Minutemen have in common. While the UMass defense returns 10 starters and has garnered plenty of early season attention and accolades, JMU returns eight defensive starters, including what may be UMass’ lone competitor for best linebacking corps in the A-10.

Leading the way for the talented Dukes is senior inside linebacker Dennard Melton, who has a team-high 34 tackles, along with outside linebackers Trey Townsend and Isai Bradshaw, and All-Atlantic 10 defensive end Jerame Southern.

“I just don’t see a weakness in their defense.” Whipple said. “Melton is a tremendous player. I think he’s probably the best pure linebacker in the league.

“Bradshaw is also very talented, and their outside linebacker Townsend was their leading tackler, so they know what they’re doing and they’re well coached on defense.”

Offensively, JMU is even more experienced as they return nine starters and have filled a hole at tailback with talented redshirt freshman Alvin Banks, who should carry a great deal of the offensive load. They are also riding high following a 23-20 victory over Hofstra in which they rallied from a 17-0 deficit to knock off the Pride.

Experienced junior quarterback Matt LeZotte returns for a third season under center, and has a strong, capable arm and a massive offensive line to protect him. He will have senior Alan Harrison and speedy freshman D.D. Boxley as his primary weapons.

The Minutemen will look to put pressure on the oft-injured signal caller with a variety of different looks and blitzes.

The focus, however, will more than likely remain with the powerful Banks and the ground game.

“LeZotte’s got another year of experience under his belt, and [JMU] is much better on offense as a whole.” Whipple said. “Their line is nearly as big as Kansas State’s, and they have a good talent with Banks in the backfield.”

For the Minutemen offensively, quarterback Jeff Krohn will look to continue the success he has had in the early going, as well as that of receivers Jimmie Howard and Jason Peebler. The onus of controlling the football, however, will once again be placed on the shoulders of sophomore tailback Steve Baylark.

Coming off the second 100-yard game of his young career, Baylark is someone Whipple has seen improve each week, and the veteran coach expects that to continue.

“I think [Baylark’s] gotten better each game,” Whipple said. “He’s learning on the fly, and I think he’s close to popping that one [big run].”

On the defensive side of the ball the Minutemen have been solid all year. Injuries to cornerbacks Steve Costello and Bobby Boyer, as well as safety Shannon James leave UMass banged up in the secondary, but that will not deter them from being aggressive against the Dukes on Saturday.

“We have to hurry the quarterback.” Whipple said. “If he has time, he can throw it as well as anyone. He’s got a strong arm that can make throws that not many people can make. We just need to pressure him and not let him sit back there.

“I think we have tremendous respect for James Madison,” he added. “They have all the ingredients to be a very good football team, and a real sleeper in this league. We just need to find a way to win this game.”