JMU at Coastal Recap
CONWAY, S.C. — Alonza Barnett III threw for three touchdowns, Jobi Malary rushed for 154 yards and a score, and No. 20 James Madison capped an undefeated regular season with a commanding 59–10 victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
James Madison (11–1, 8–0) will host Troy in the Sun Belt Championship game Friday night.
Coach Bob Chesney praised his team’s cohesion and resilience. “I’m proud of how quickly these guys came together and their ability to play as a team. To go undefeated in Year 2 of Sun Belt play is a feather in their caps — something no one can take away,” Chesney said.
The Dukes extended their winning streak to 10 games. “There are bigger goals ahead, but this is a great way to close the regular season,” Chesney added.
Linebacker Trent Hendrick shared a message for the James Madison faithful: “What's going on JMU Nation? Fresh off a ‘W’ and headed back to Harrisonburg. Getting ready for Troy this week. We got a big one. We gotta pack it out. Go Dukes!”
Trailing by just 10 at halftime, the Dukes pulled away in the second half, scoring five touchdowns for their fifth consecutive victory over the Chanticleers. Since joining the Sun Belt, James Madison has outscored Coastal Carolina 201–38.
The Dukes dominated statistically, racking up 525 total yards to Coastal’s 170 and holding the Chanticleers to minus-5 rushing yards — marking the first time in school history Coastal failed to gain a rushing yard in a game.
artilce and Photos provided by: Vickie Mathis
Barnett finished 15 of 21 for 207 yards, ran for 31 yards and a touchdown, and backup Matthew Sluka connected on his only pass attempt for a 32-yard score to Michael Scott. Malary added a 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 45–10. “His running style is impressive — low pad level, knees always churning, just tough to bring down,” Chesney said.
Tad Hudson threw for 148 yards and a touchdown for Coastal Carolina (6–6, 5–3), also tossing a fourth-quarter interception returned for a score by KJ Flowe. Wayne Knight helped James Madison gain 286 yards on the ground with 85 rushing yards of his own.
James Madison’s receiving corps also shined: Braeden Wisloski had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, Nick DeGennaro added three receptions for 47 yards and a two-point conversion, and Lacota Dippre and Isaiah Alson each hauled in touchdown passes.
Defensively, the Chanticleers had moments of strong play, led by Dontae Lunan with eight tackles, Ja’Marion Wayne with seven, and Myles Woods with six. The front line recorded four tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage, including a key sack from Jayden Bryant late in the second quarter that halted a James Madison drive.
Marshall at Coastal Recap
Article Written by: Aaron Lewis
1st Half Summary
Boogie Trotter intercepts a third down pass from Coastal Carolina QB Samari
Collier on the opening drive of the game for an early momentum snatching pick 6 to put the Herd up 7-0.
Following the pick 6, Coastal drives the ball down the field to end up with a 36- yard field goal to bring the score to 7-3 Coastal has its second turnover of the game with 6 minutes remaining in the 1st
quarter resulting in a 55-yard FG from Marshall’s freshman kicker Lorcan Quinn to put
the Thundering Herd up 10-3 with 5.5 min remaining in the 1 st quarter.
After an electric 45-yard kickoff return by Malcolm Gillie to put the Chanticleers in
great field position to start the second quarter, QB Samari Collier led Coastal on an 8 play 54-yard TD drive to narrow the lead to 3. Marshall responds with a methodical 8 play 65-yard drive capped off by a
Jo’Shon Barbie rush up the middle to put the Herd back up by 10 with 7 min to go before the half. A quick option play springs for 59 yards as Domonic Knicely makes a cut back and is off to the races to bring the game
back to within 3 with 5.5 minutes left in the half.
After a couple of back-and-forth drives ending in a punt by both teams the half ends with
Marshall ahead of the Chanticleers 20-17.
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2nd Half Summary
Marshall opens the half strong with a 6 play 75-yard TD drive ending in a 7-yard pass from Del Rio-Wilson D Tamarez
Coastal responds with a quick 3 play TD drive of their own to narrow the lead to 3.
The Chanticleers recover a fumble by Del Rio-Wilson and immediately punch it in to take their first lead of the game.
Following that the Thundering Herd have their second turnover in a row as Del
Rio-Wilson’s pass is intercepted D Lunan to give Coastal the ball right back at Herd 28- yard line. Coastal ends that drive with a 42-yard FG taking a quick 34-27 second half lead. Del Rio-Wilson throws his second interception of the half as Marshall turns the ball over for the 3rd straight drive. This is only Del Rio-Wilson’s 3rd interception of the
year, 2 have come in the 3rd quarter of this game. Resulting in yet another Chanticleer
FG as Marshall holds them out of the endzone to give Coastal a
37-27 lead with 3 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Marshall turns the ball over for the 4th time in a row as D Lunan forces Del Rio-
Wilson to cough the ball up, giving the Chanticleers offense the ball back on their own
41-yard line to put an end to the 3rd quarter.
With 9 min remaining in the 4th quarter Marshall has their 5th turnover of the
game, all in the second half, as the Thundering Herd muff a punt and give
Coastal Carolina’s offense the ball at the Herd 41-yard line. Samari Callier and the Chanticleers offense capitalize on the turnover with a 40-yard TD pass to go up 44-27 with 8 min remaining in the 4th quarter.
Photos Provided by: Vickie Mathis
Game Recap
Turnovers seemed to be the story of the night for this matchup
as there was a total of 7 between the two teams. Coastal
finished the game with a +3-turnover margin,
also winning the game. Marshall committed
5 second half turnovers giving up their lead built before the half.
After starting the game with an interception returned or a TD, Coastal Carolina
looked as if they may have been overmatched, but resilience seems to be a part of the
culture of Conway as the Chants completed their second come from behind win in arow.