Tag: James Madison

Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney runs onto the field with the team for their homecoming game versus Colgate University on Saturday September 23, 2023 at Fitton Field in Worcester.

James Madison earns first bowl win in Boca Raton Bowl vs. Western Kentucky

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Billy Atkins threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Thompson to break a fourth-quarter tie as James Madison won a bowl game for the first time, topping Western Kentucky 27-17 in the Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday at Boca Raton, Fla.

JC Evans had a touchdown run and touchdown pass and George Pettaway rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries for the Dukes.

The Dukes (9-4) are in their second season of bowl eligibility in what largely has been the continuation of a strong transition from the Football Championship Subdivision.

“It’s about our program. It’s about our institution,” James Madison athletic director Matt Roan said. “That first bowl win, it’s a culmination. … To win nine games, to win that first bowl game.”

“We came together as a group,” added James Madison cornerback DJ Barksdale, who was named defensive player of the game. “We just put it in God’s hands, trusted God. We got the job done.”

It was the first touchdown throw of the season for Atkins, a redshirt junior who threw for 181 yards. He was filling in for Alonza Barnett III, who was banged up in the regular-season finale vs. Marshall.

Atkins had thrown two TD passes in both 2021 and 2022. It was the sixth touchdown catch of the year for Thompson, who made his grab with 9:20 to play.

Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who entered the transfer portal last week, threw for 302 yards on 25-for-39 passing with two touchdowns.

Western Kentucky (8-6), which lost to Jacksonville State 52-12 in the Conference USA championship game, lost four of its last five games.

The Hilltoppers had converted a fourth-down play with about 3 1/2 minutes left before Khairi Manns’ sack of Veltkamp forced a fumble on the next play, giving the ball back to James Madison. That resulted in Noe Ruelas’ 25-yard field goal for the game’s final points.

The Hilltoppers were dinged by three lost fumbles, while James Madison didn’t commit a turnover.

“We had our opportunities and didn’t capitalize on them,” Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton said. “The turnovers and a dropped pass or two. But that’s football.”

Ruelas kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead with 2:25 remaining in the third quarter. Lucas Carneiro’s 31-yarder tied it for Western Kentucky in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Earlier, Veltkamp threw 17 yards to Moussa Barry on a screen pass for a touchdown, then put the Hilltoppers ahead with 51 seconds left in the first half on an 11-yard toss to Dalvin Smith. The second scoring drive covered 83 yards, using seven plays in less than two minutes.

Evans ran for seven yards for the only touchdown in the first quarter. His one-yard toss to Kyi Wright allowed the Dukes to tie the score at 14-14 before the midway mark of the third quarter. That 71-yard drive came on top of a 77-yard march in the first quarter.

Ruelas missed a 47-yard field goal and had a 56-yard attempt blocked in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; James Madison Dukes head coach Bob Chesney on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

James Madison vying for first bowl win, faces W. Kentucky in Boca Raton

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Western Kentucky has made a habit of winning the Boca Raton Bowl, while James Madison is pretty much a newcomer to the Football Bowl Subdivision postseason scene.

The teams will clash in the bowl game Wednesday in Boca Raton, Fla.

It will be the second bowl game for James Madison, which first became eligible last year upon moving up to full FBS status. The Dukes lost last year to Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

“Really excited about winning this first bowl game in school history,” first-year coach Bob Chesney said.

Western Kentucky (8-5), with about two dozen players in the transfer portal, could be hurt in terms of personnel for the game. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp entered the portal but will play in the game.

The Hilltoppers are 2-0 in the Boca Raton Bowl, defeating Memphis in 2016 and Appalachian State in 2021. They’re coming off a 52-12 loss to Jacksonville State in the Conference USA championship game Dec. 6 after winning that matchup in the regular season.

“We’ll rebound and go get a big bowl win,” said Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton, who holds a 4-1 bowl record. “It’s an honor to play in a bowl game, and it’s an even greater honor to go win a bowl game.”

James Madison (8-4) has lost its last two games, including 35-33 in double overtime to visiting Marshall on Nov. 30 to wrap up Sun Belt Conference play.

The Dukes likely will play without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who was banged up in the regular-season finale vs. the Thundering Herd. Redshirt junior Billy Atkins will start in the bowl.

“He’s ready to go, and he has taken a ton of reps,” Chesney said. “He has been here the whole time. I’m excited for Billy to get his shot. He’s an old soul in there. … Billy has been preparing like he’s the starter.”

The Dukes have cranked up good rushing totals recently, and that could be a bonus with less experience at quarterback. Jobi Malary racked up a season-high 106 rushing yards in the Marshall game.

“All these guys understand the run game has to be a big part of what we do this game,” Chesney said.

Western Kentucky had two of Conference USA’s top players.

Veltkamp, who threw for 23 touchdowns and 2,806 yards this year, was named the Offensive Player of the Year. He was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in last year’s Famous Toastery Bowl.

C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year went to kicker Lucas Carneiro, who is 17-for-18 on field goals and 39-for-39 on extra points.

The Hilltoppers will want to be crisp on offense, with James Madison leading the country in turnover margin at plus-17.

Western Kentucky’s defense has allowed an average of nearly 5 yards per carry. Defenders Darius Thomas, Hosea Wheeler and Dallas Walker hit the portal.

Chesney, wrapping up his first season with an FBS program, said many of the Dukes are fired up about the bowl destination.

“Some guys are returning back home to Florida, so that will be nice for them,” Chesney said. “This is a big bonus that we’re playing in this bowl game.”

This will be James Madison’s first game in Florida in 24 years. It also will be the first meeting between the Dukes and Hilltoppers.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown with his players in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Tar Heels sorting out QB conundrum ahead of clash vs. James Madison

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North Carolina will wrap up nonconference play with Saturday afternoon’s clash with visiting James Madison at Chapel Hill, N.C.

It’s the final chance for the Tar Heels (3-0) to continue to work out kinks.

This assignment against James Madison (2-0) might mark the most difficult task among the three consecutive home games.

North Carolina’s adjustments have come at quarterback. Jacolby Criswell played the majority of the most recent game in relief of Conner Harrell. If Criswell starts versus James Madison, he’ll be the third starting quarterback of the season for the Tar Heels.

“We’re just trying to play more people because when you see a chance to play, you practice better,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said.

North Carolina defeated Football Championship Subdivision opponent North Carolina Central 45-10 on Saturday night, but held only a seven-point edge going to the fourth quarter. Brown described the plan for that game was to use two quarterbacks for multiple series.

The plan could be altered this week, but either way factors will evolve.

“The game dictates what you’re going to do,” Brown said.

Criswell, with 161 passing yards and a touchdown throw, produced significantly better numbers than Harrell (22 yards in the air).

“When (Criswell) comes in, the ball seems to go down the field quite a bit,” James Madison coach Bob Chesney said.

The key for North Carolina is bound to come on the ground, with Omarion Hampton coming off a 210-yard rushing performance. The preseason All-American has racked up more than 200 rushing yards twice in his career.

“When you can run the ball, you can improve your passing game and that’s what we’ve got to do,” Brown said. “We’ve got to be more consistent in our passing game. We have to step up at wide receiver and tight end.”

The Dukes didn’t play last weekend, so the extra time could be put to good use working on their offense. James Madison defeated FCS team Gardner-Webb 13-6 in its most recent outing.

Chesney, in his first season, said James Madison has made significant gains in attention to detail since the first two games of the season.

“We know the task at hand and we’re excited to get to go down there and compete,” Chesney said. “We’re not going there to try to play a close game. We’re going down there to win a game.”

Chesney said running back Ayo Adeyi and receiver Taji Hudson could be on track to return to action following injuries.

This will be James Madison’s third consecutive matchup against a team from North Carolina. The Dukes won 30-7 to open the season at Charlotte; a week later, the Tar Heels topped Charlotte 38-20.

It’s a sellout, with James Madison filling all of its ticket allotment.

–Field Level Media

Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney runs onto the field with the team for their homecoming game versus Colgate University on Saturday September 23, 2023 at Fitton Field in Worcester.

JMU tabs Holy Cross’ Bob Chesney as head coach

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James Madison named Holy Cross’ Bob Chesney as its new head coach on Thursday.

Chesney, 46, has coached the Crusaders since 2018 and guided them to four FCS postseason berths.

The three-time Patriot League Coach of the Year compiled a 44-21 record at Holy Cross, including 7-4 in 2023.

“Ideally, we wanted a proven head coach with a track record of winning football games, both with frequency and against tough competition,” James Madison athletic director Jeff Bourne said. “We sought someone who would lead our young men to maximize their potential in all facets of life, including their off-the-field pursuits and academic success. We prioritized someone with experience at managing all facets of a modern Division I football program and particularly with ties to the East Coast. We also desired someone who would connect with our staff, would resonate with our fan base and would relish the opportunity to be a JMU Duke.

“Bob Chesney checks all those boxes and more.”

The Crusaders went 11-0 in the regular season in 2022 and reached the FCS quarterfinals. They defeated FBS teams in 2021 (UConn) and 2022 (Buffalo) and fell by three points to both Boston College and Army this season.

“I’ve watched the JMU football program rise to one of the top in the FCS before then transitioning to the FBS level in truly unprecedented fashion,” Chesney said. “This program has such rich tradition, and the culture of the program expectations are firmly planted.”

Chesney replaces Curt Cignetti, who had guided the Dukes since 2019 before leaving to become the head coach at Indiana.

JMU (11-1) is slated to face Air Force in the Dec. 23 Armed Forces Bowl, with associate head coach and offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski as the acting head coach.

Chesney served as head coach at Division II Assumption (2013-17) and Division III Salve Regina (2010-12) before taking over at Holy Cross.

–Field Level Media

Sept 9, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Ty Son Lawton (7) points at the camera after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia AG threatens legal action over JMU bowl exclusion

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Virginia’s attorney general has threatened legal action if the NCAA doesn’t reverse its decision to exclude James Madison from bowl consideration this season.

A law firm engaged by Virginia AG Jason Miyares sent a demand letter to the NCAA ahead of the NCAA’s anticipated announcement Wednesday night. The letter requests a response by noon Friday.

“We are prepared to act on behalf of JMU in the unfortunate circumstance that JMU’s request for relief is not timely approved,” said the letter, which was obtained by ESPN on Thursday. “Specifically, JMU is prepared to promptly file a lawsuit in the Western District of Virginia asserting that the bowl ban violates the antitrust and, potentially, other laws.”

James Madison, which is in Harrisonburg, Va., has yet to wrap up its second season of a required two-year transition period from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The Dukes are 10-0 and ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25, but are not in the College Football Playoff rankings due to the transition eligibility.

James Madison asked for the waiting period for full bowl eligibility to be sliced to one year and the NCAA refused.

The Dukes could still wind up in a bowl game. They would be eligible for bowl bid consideration only if not enough teams finish with records of .500 or better to stock the 41 bowl games.

–Field Level Media

Sept 9, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Jordan McCloud (2) passes off the ball to James Madison Dukes running back Ty Son Lawton (7) to run a play during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA denies James Madison’s postseason waiver request

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James Madison will not be eligible to make the College Football Playoff this season, as the NCAA on Wednesday denied the school’s request for a postseason waiver.

The Dukes (10-0) are in their second season of the required two-year transition period from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision. They are currently ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 but aren’t in the College Football Playoff rankings due to being ineligible.

James Madison asked for the waiting period for full bowl eligibility to be sliced to one year, but the NCAA refused.

The ruling also affects Jacksonville State (7-3), in its first season in the FBS and Tarleton State (8-3), in its first season in the FCS.

“We’re obviously disappointed in the outcome of the NCAA’s review of our request for bowl relief,” the James Madison administration said in a statement. “We’re saddened for our university community and, in particular, we’re devastated for our football program, the coaches and student-athletes who have orchestrated an amazing season and earned the opportunity.”

James Madison and Jacksonville State could still wind up in bowl games if not enough teams finish with records of .500 or better to stock the 41 bowl games.

The Dukes also are ineligible to compete in the Sun Belt Conference championship game, even though they lead the East Division with a 6-0 league record.

James Madison has an 18-3 record across its first two years at the FBS level.

–Field Level Media

Sept 9, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Jordan McCloud (2) passes off the ball to James Madison Dukes running back Ty Son Lawton (7) to run a play during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

James Madison appeals to NCAA for bowl eligibility

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Officials at James Madison are asking the NCAA to waive a rule that makes the school ineligible for the college football postseason.

The undefeated Dukes (9-0, 6-0 Sun Belt) are in their second season since transitioning to the FBS level. Under NCAA rules, a team making the move from the FCS ranks is bowl ineligible for two seasons.

But in a letter delivered Tuesday to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, James Madison is asking for full eligibility for bowl season now.

One of the arguments being made by the trio of James Madison letter writers — campus president Jonathan Alger, athletic director Jeffrey Bourne and rector Maribeth Herod — is that the players deserve the opportunity.

“The membership recognizes postseason participation as a fundamental element of the student-athlete experience,” the letter reads. “If relief is provided, our student-athletes would potentially have the rare opportunity to participate in a prestigious New Year’s Six bowl contest. Our team includes cohorts of students who have been through COVID disruptions, missed out on earned opportunities last year, and face uncertain prospects for postseason play again this year despite their sustained excellence.”

The letter also points out that James Madison has eight wins against FBS opponents and could finish as the top-ranked Group of Five program in the nation. The highest-ranked Group of Five team earns an automatic berth in a top bowl game.

The Dukes are No. 21 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll but unranked by the College Football Playoff committee because of its lack of postseason eligibility. Under CFP’s first rankings, issued last week, the top-ranked Group of Five program is No. 24 Tulane (8-1, 5-0 American Athletic Association).

The next CFP rankings will be announced Tuesday night.

–Field Level Media

Sept 9, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Jordan McCloud (2) looks for a pass to an open player during the second half of the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

No. 25 James Madison unbeaten after holding off Old Dominion

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Jordan McCloud passed for 340 yards and three touchdowns as No. 25 James Madison held off visiting Old Dominion for a 30-27 win in their Sun Belt Conference matchup Saturday in Harrisonburg, Va.

McCloud completed 27 of 40 passes with two interceptions as the newly ranked Dukes (8-0, 5-0 Sun Belt) won their 11th straight game dating to last year.

Reggie Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns and Elijah Sarratt added eight receptions for 139 yards and one score as James Madison thrived with its no-huddle, up-tempo offense.

A year ago, when James Madison cracked the top 25 for the first time in program history, it lost its next three games.

As a second-year team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, after promotion from the Football Championship Subdivision, the Dukes are not eligible for a conference title or a bowl game.

Grant Wilson completed 26 of 36 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns without an interception for Old Dominion (4-4, 3-2).

Against James Madison’s defense, which is allowing only 49 yards per game on the ground, Keshawn Wicks carried 11 times for 74 yards and Kadarius Calloway added 65 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

The Monarchs trailed 30-17 late in the third quarter before staging their comeback.

Calloway capped a 75-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run to make it 30-24.

Then after Old Dominion stopped James Madison on a fourth-and-1 and took over on their own 42, the Monarchs drove to the Dukes’ 4 before settling for a 23-yard field goal by Ethan Sanchez that cut the deficit to 30-27.

But on Old Dominion’s final three possessions, the James Madison defense bottled the Monarchs up in their own territory.

James Madison’s Jalen Green stopped one of the drives as he threw Wilson for a loss on third down. Then on the final play of the game, Mikail Kamara sacked Wilson.

In the first half, after Shawn Asbury intercepted McCloud’s second pass of the game, Sanchez kicked a 22-yard field goal.

McCloud responded, throwing a 49-yard touchdown pass to Brown and adding a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Dukes a 14-3 lead.

In the third quarter, McCloud threw touchdown passes of 3 yards to Sarratt and 21 yards to Brown as James Madison increased its edge to 30-17.

–Field Level Media

September 9, 2023 in Charlottesvile, Virginia; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver JR Wilson (17) is tackled by James Madison Dukes linebacker Taurus Jones (0) in the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Pajewski-USA TODAY Sports

James Madison rallies in 4th to stun Virginia, 36-35

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Jordan McCloud threw for 224 yards and one touchdown — coming with 55 seconds left in the game — as James Madison defeated in-state rival and host Virginia 36-35 in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday.

The 10-yard scoring pass to Kaelon Black capped the Dukes’ comeback from down 35-24 late in the third quarter.

In his first start, Virginia true freshman Anthony Colandrea threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns. Playing for injured starter Tony Muskett (shoulder), he went 20-of-26 passing and was intercepted once.

Colandrea’s 75-yard quick-strike completion to Kobe Pace gave the Cavaliers (0-2) their first lead of the game at 21-14 just 11 seconds into the third quarter.

Virginia added two more touchdowns in the third, one on Pace’s 3-yard run and the other on Mike Hollins’ 9-yard burst. Hollins also had a 2-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to get the Cavaliers within 17-14.

Ty Son Lawton scored twice in the second half for James Madison, both times bringing the Dukes to within one score of Virginia. His second touchdown, a 27-yard run, cut their deficit to 35-30 with 8:34 left in the game, although the two-point conversion attempt failed. He rushed eight times for 79 yards.

Malik Washington caught five passes for 119 yards, including a 63-yard scoring reception, for Virginia.

The game carried extra emotion for the Virginia program, which held a pregame ceremony to remember three players who died in a shooting last November. The final two games were canceled last season, and this was the Cavaliers’ first home game of the season.

Saturday’s game was delayed for about 70 minutes early in the fourth quarter due to lightning in the area.

McCloud completed 20 of 31 passes for James Madison (2-0), which led 14-0 less than eight minutes into the game.

After an explosive first quarter, the only score in the second was Hollins’ 4-yard run to cap an eight-play, 66-yard drive. It pulled Virginia within 17-14 with 1:02 left before halftime.

With Virginia trailing 14-0 less than eight minutes into the game, Washington’s catch made it 14-7 with 6:06 left in the first quarter.

It came after the Dukes scored on their first offensive and defensive series. Receiver Taji Hudson took a backward toss from McCloud and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Phoenix Sproles.

Then, after James Madison forced Virginia into a three-and-out, Aiden Fisher blocked the punt in the end zone, and teammate D’Angelo Ponds recovered it for a 14-0 lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2022; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Tyler Hudson (0) runs the ball against the James Madison Dukes during the first half at Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Louisville pulls away for 34-10 win over James Madison

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Malik Cunningham threw three touchdown passes and Tiyon Evans had a 71-yard scoring run as host Louisville pulled away for a 34-10 victory over James Madison in a nonconference matchup on Saturday night.

Cunningham completed 14 of 20 passes for 223 yards as Louisville (6-3) extended its winning streak to four games. The Cardinals, who became bowl eligible, outscored the Dukes 24-0 in the second half.

Evans gained 126 yards on 10 carries, while Jawhar Jordan rushed for 117 yards on 17 carries. Tyler Hudson caught six passes for 142 yards and a score.

Percy Agyei-Obese rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown but James Madison (5-3) lost its third straight. Todd Centeio was limited to four completions on 15 attempts for 52 yards.

Louisville outgained James Madison 467-193.

This was the first meeting between the schools.

The game was tied at 10 apiece at halftime.

James Madison scored on its first possession. Camden Wise kicked a 34-yard field goal to complete a 58-yard drive.

Louisville answered with a 75-yard drive, capped off by Cunningham’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Martin.

The defenses then ruled until late in the half, when the Dukes embarked on an 80-yard drive. Agyei-Obese finished it off with a 9-yard run up the middle.

Cunningham’s 40-yard pass to Hudson set up James Turner’s 28-yard field goal on the final play of the half.

Turner’s 35-yard field goal six minutes into the second half gave Louisville a three-point edge.

Evans exploded through a hole on the left side on the Cardinals’ next play from scrimmage and raced untouched 71 yards to the end zone.

James Madison recovered a fumbled punt later in the third but couldn’t cash in. Wise missed a 52-yard field goal try.

Cunningham connected with Hudson on a 44-yard scoring pass with 12:22 remaining to give Louisville a 17-point lead.

Ahmari Huggins-Bruce caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Cunningham on a fourth-down play to make it 34-10.

–Field Level Media