James Madison Football Claims Sun Belt East Title, Eyes Championship Game Amid Historic Run
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James Madison University football has reached new heights, securing its first Sun Belt Conference East Division title and riding an eight-game winning streak as it prepares to host Washington State this Saturday, November 22nd. The Dukes will celebrate senior Day and host the first-ever university collaboration with Marvel Super Hero day at Bridgeforth Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. and streaming live on ESPN+.
Dukes Dominate, Earn Championship Berth
James Madison’s ascent has been swift and decisive. The team achieved a remarkable 7-0 start in conference play, marking their best since transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). While the Dukes previously topped the East Division in 2022 and 2023, they where ineligible for the conference championship due to ongoing reclassification rules. This year,though,JMU has punched its ticket to the Credit Union 1 Sun Belt Football Championship Game,presented by Visit Pensacola,on Friday,December 5th.
Rising in the National Polls
The Dukes’ success hasn’t gone unnoticed by the national media. JMU recently jumped into the national rankings for the first time in nearly two years and has continued to climb, currently sitting at #21 in the AP Top 25 and #22 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. “JMU is currently the top-ranked Group of six opponent in either poll,” a sports analyst noted, highlighting the program’s growing prominence. Since joining the FBS in 2022, the Dukes have been ranked in the AP Top 25 for a total of 10 weeks, tying the second-highest ranking in program history.
An Eight-Game Winning Streak Fuels Momentum
JMU’s current eight-game winning streak is a testament to their all-around performance.Last Saturday’s dominant 58-10 victory over app State showcased the team’s offensive and defensive prowess. The streak is tied for the fourth longest in the nation and represents the longest active streak among Group of Six programs. Notably, the Dukes are one of only five teams nationally – alongside Ohio State, Indiana, Texas Tech, and Oregon – to rank within the top 15 in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
Bridgeforth Stadium Sells Out, JMU Nation Responds
Fan support has reached unprecedented levels. james Madison will host its sixth sellout game this season, marking the first time Bridgeforth Stadium has been sold out for all regular-season home games since its expansion in 2011. The stadium has sold out 16 of the last 18 home contests, with recent attendance figures including 25,298 against App State, 25,232 for Homecoming versus ODU, 25,128 against Louisiana, 25,029 for Family Weekend with Georgia Southern, and 24,965 in the season opener against Weber State. JMU is averaging 25,130 spectators per game, a slight increase from the previous year.
Looking Ahead: Washington State and Coastal Carolina
This Saturday’s game against Washington state marks the inaugural meeting between the two programs and JMU’s first contest against a team from the Pacific time zone.Following the matchup with the cougars, the Dukes will close out the regular season on Saturday, November 29th, at Coastal Carolina, with kickoff scheduled for 3:45 p.m. and national television coverage on ESPNU. JMU currently holds a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series against Coastal Carolina, with a 3-0 record in Sun Belt play.
Broadcast Facts
Fans can catch all the action on ESPN+ and Watch ESPN (with a cable subscription). The game will also be broadcast live on the Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network, available on WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM and online via The Varsity network. The ESPN+ broadcast team will feature Curt Dudley (play-by-play), Brian Barlow (analyst), and David Hulvey (sideline), while the radio broadcast will be led by Dave Riggert (play-by-play), That Reid (analyst), and Cole Potts (analyst).
