HARRISONBURG, Va. – Fresh off a conference-opening victory at home, James Madison football will head to Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 4 for a Sun Belt Conference matchup with Georgia State.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Center Parc Stadium, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
The 2025 JMU football season is sponsored by CarMax.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Center Parc Stadium, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
The 2025 JMU football season is sponsored by CarMax.
BREAKING DOWN THE SERIES
- Saturday marks the fifth all-time meeting between the teams with JMU leading, 4-0.
- This will be JMU’s second trip to Atlanta, as it won the first road bout with GSU in a 42-14 victory in 2023.
- The Dukes are also 3-0 at home, which included a 38-7 triumph last year, which was the JMU’s largest win margin in the series.
- In JMU’s first season in the FBS in 2022, it stormed back from a 34-14 halftime deficit for a 42-40 win, while also owning a 28-21 win against the Panthers while both teams were in the FCS in 2012.
- In the history of the series, JMU averages 37.5 points per game to GSU’s 20.5.
JMU’S DEFENSE AMONG NATION’S BEST
- Through four games, JMU’s defense has proved to be one of the top units in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
- JMU has held three of four opponents to fewer than 250 total yards, ranking third nationally in total defense, at 209.3 yards per game.
- The Dukes are holding opponents to a 47% passing percentage to rank fourth in passing defense, at 118.8 yards per game and sixth in pass efficiency (93.4). No team has thrown for more than 165 passing yards in a game this season.
- First downs have also come at a premium for foes, as they average just 12.0 a game, good for fifth in the FBS.
- JMU is also 12th in sacks per game (3.25), 19th on third down (26.8%), 20th in rushing defense (90.5) and 22nd in both scoring defense (15.3) and tackles for loss (7.0).
- This comes on the heels of holding Georgia Southern to just 192 total yards and 27 rushing yards in JMU’s conference-opening win.
RUSHING ATTACK HEATING UP
- JMU’s run game has been solid every week, as it averaged 249.3 yards on the ground per game to rank 10th nationally in the category.
- The move into the FBS’s top 10 comes following a program-record performance, as it piled up 331 rushing yards in last week’s win against Georgia Southern, which was JMU’s most rushing yards ever against an FBS foe.
- Wayne Knight ran for 151 yards while Jordan Fuller had 137 yards, as the Dukes averaged 6.2 per rush in the win.
- On the year, JMU gains 5.4 yards per rush and has 11 rushing touchdowns.
- Knight leads the room with 7.1 yards per carry (12th FBS) and 85.3 rushing yards per game (34th FBS).
LAST TIME JMU & GSU MET
- Back on Nov. 9, 2024, JMU turned in its largest win against Georgia State in a 38-7 triumph at Bridgeforth Stadium.
- Alonza Barnett led JMU to touchdowns on its first three drives, and the Dukes tallied the final 24 points to stay unbeaten versus GSU.
- Barnett threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns while George Pettaway rushed for 95 yards and a score and Jobi Malary added 60.
- JMU out-gained GSU by a 452-259 margin, which included 211-46 on the ground.
- The Dukes also had two big special teams plays, as Terrence Spence blocked a field goal and Tyler Brown recovered a fumble on a muffed punt.
- JMU was 9-for-17 on third down, while GSU was just 4-for-14.
SUN BELT HONORS TWO DUKES
- JMU earned its first two Sun Belt weekly awards following the Georgia Southern win, as Trent Hendrick was named Defensive Player of the Week while Curtis Harris-Lopez was voted Special Teams Player of the Week.
- Hendrick turned in career highs of 11 tackles and 3.0 sacks with a forced fumble and pass breakup, while Harris-Lopez returned a kickoff 88 yards for a score, the second of his career.
- It was Hendrick’s first career Sun Belt honor, while Harris-Lopez took home his second career accolade, joining a 2024 Patriot League laurel.
HORNUNG HONOR ROLL FOR WAYNE
- Wayne Knight had a career day in both rushing yards and all-purpose yards to earn a spot on the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll.
- Knight rushed for 151 yards on 19 carries, averaging 7.9 per carry, while scoring his third rushing touchdown in 2025.
- He also had four catches for 35 yards and added 13 punt return yards for a career-best 199 all-purpose yards.
- He became JMU’s first 150-yard rusher since Oct. 8, 2022, to lead JMU to the SBC-opening win.
- The Hornung Award is presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JMU
- JMU returns home on Saturday, Oct. 11 to host Louisiana in front of a nationally-televised audience.
- The game from Bridgeforth Stadium kicks off at noon and will be televised on ESPN2.
- It will be the inaugural meeting between JMU and UL, as the Ragin’ Cajuns are the final team JMU has yet to play since joining the SBC in 2022.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Online: Watch ESPN (Subscription required)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network
On the radio – WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM
Online: The Varsity Network
Broadcast Talent
ESPN+: Matt Stewart (pxp), Sam Crenshaw (analyst)
Radio: Dave Riggert (pxp), Que Reid (analyst)
