JMU stays unbeaten after Georgia Southern misses late tying field goal

James Madison survived a late Georgia Southern rally Saturday, holding on for a 27–24 road win when Blake Ford missed a 52-yard field goal on the Eagles’ final possession.

The Dukes ran out the clock after the miss at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, improving to 6–0 overall and 3–0 in the Sun Belt. Georgia Southern fell to 2–4 and 1–1.

JMU trailed 10–6 at halftime but scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. Camden Coleman finished the opening second-half drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Harrison, moving the Dukes ahead 13–10.

The defense then protected that lead near its own goal line. Jayon Harvey forced a River Helms fumble, and Nakian Jackson recovered at JMU’s seven-yard line. The Dukes drove 93 yards in 10 plays, with JC Evans throwing a 57-yard touchdown pass to Cole Keller for a 20–10 advantage.

Georgia Southern pulled within three on Max Johnson’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Taeo Todd in the fourth. JMU responded with a 14-play, 82-yard drive that ended on Evans’ one-yard touchdown pass to KD Mosley, restoring a 10-point lead.

Johnson kept the Eagles alive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Andre Greene Jr. After forcing a punt, Georgia Southern drove from its own 15 to JMU’s 34, but Ford’s tying attempt was no good.

George Pettaway led JMU with 151 rushing yards on 21 carries. Evans completed both passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns; Coleman went 16-for-27 for 171 yards and one score. Keller caught four passes for 108 yards.

Johnson finished 26-for-38 for 343 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Josh Dallas had eight catches for 111 yards. Georgia Southern outgained JMU 465–438, but the Dukes converted four of five fourth downs and committed no turnovers while the Eagles lost the ball twice.