JMU puts unbeaten start on the line against ODU in Norfolk

James Madison carries a 3–0 record into Norfolk on Saturday night, Sept. 26, where Old Dominion will try to turn a familiar rivalry into a conference-opening reset. The Dukes visit the Monarchs at 6 p.m. at S.B. Ballard Stadium in the TowneBank Royal Rivalry, the Sun Belt opener for both programs. ESPN+ will stream the game. JMU has won its first three games, including a 26–13 road victory at San Diego State last week. ODU is 1–2 after a 20–17 loss to East Carolina. JMU’s latest win featured a balanced performance from quarterback Camden Coleman. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, and added a rushing score. Both touchdown passes went to tight end Cole Keller. Braeden Wisloski caught five passes for a career-high 90 yards. Defensively, the Dukes recorded two interceptions and stopped San Diego State three times on fourth down. The result also ended San Diego State’s seven-game home winning streak, according to JMU. The Dukes are beginning their defense of last season’s Sun Belt title and open conference play with four straight wins over ODU in the series. The Monarchs have a chance to answer with their run game. Quarterback Quinn Henicle has scored on the ground in each of his five starts, and his four rushing touchdowns this season are tied for second among Sun Belt players, ODU reported. He rushed for 73 yards and a score against East Carolina. Running back Devin Roche gained 102 yards in that game, but a fumble on a second-half ODU possession helped set up East Carolina’s go-ahead field goal. Linebacker Mario Thompson leads ODU with 28 tackles through three games. The Monarchs held East Carolina to 276 yards of offense, but a dropped punt snap gave the Pirates an early scoring opportunity. ODU later lost its 17–10 halftime lead on a 67-yard interception return and a fourth-quarter field goal. The Monarchs will need to protect the ball and finish drives against a JMU team that has forced turnovers in key moments. The football series is tied to the broader Royal Rivalry Challenge between the schools. JMU leads the football series 4–2 and has taken the last four meetings, including a 63–27 win in Harrisonburg last season. The Dukes have also won the all-sports challenge three times, while the schools tied once. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern. The game will air on ESPN+.

Sources: JMU game preview · ODU game preview · ODU–East Carolina recap