What a way to end the season for the SunBelt!
​
A lot of analysts, including Vegas judging by the JMU -23.5 point spread, had this game as a lock for JMU. But Troy came out and surprised everyone in Bridgeforth stadium, at least for the first half. Big plays and lack of 3rd down efficiency was the story of the first half for both teams as the Trojans were 2-10 and the Dukes were an abysmal 0-7 on 3rd down. Some of this can be attributed to excellent defense, some can be blamed on the 28-degree chilling weather as both teams seemed to have trouble catching the ball the entire game. Which lends itself to the run game, and JMU’s RB Wayne Knight came through in a big way for the Dukes, especially in the 1st half with an explosive 73-yard TD run to put the Dukes up 10-7 to start the 2nd quarter. Knight had a career day with 212 yards on 21-attempts, his personal highest yard total in his career. Along Barnett didn’t disappoint as he got on the board with a 26-yard TD pass to pull the Dukes up 17-14 at the half.
No. 19 James Madison strengthens playoff résumé with 31–14 victory over Troy in Sun Belt Championship
James Madison closed out the Sun Belt title game with a statement performance, rolling past Troy 31–14 on Friday night in Harrisonburg to finish the season 12–1 and keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Running back Wayne Knight delivered a career night, piling up 212 rushing yards and breaking free for a 73-yard score, the longest touchdown run in the history of the conference championship. The Dukes’ defense dominated just as much, producing eight sacks, a fumble return for a touchdown, and yet another second-half shutout—their sixth of the year. Sahir West led the charge with three sacks and double-digit tackles.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III added a late 26-yard touchdown run to put the game away and finished with 85 yards on the ground, 93 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
The win sends JMU into scoreboard-watching mode as the program looks for help in the ACC title game, where an upset could boost the Dukes into the expanded 12-team playoff field.
Troy briefly closed the gap in the second quarter after converting a fourth-and-1 following a defensive pass-interference call, eventually punching in a short touchdown run from Tae Meadows to make it 17–14. The momentum didn’t last long—Troy missed a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter, and JMU controlled the rest of the contest.
The night also marked the final home game for head coach Bob Chesney, who is reportedly headed to UCLA after guiding JMU to another championship-level performance.