2025 James Madison Dukes football team

2025 James Madison Dukes football
Conference	Sun Belt Conference
Division	East Division
Record	1–1 (0–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach	Bob Chesney (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Dean Kennedy (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Colin Hitschler (1st season)
Home stadium	Bridgeforth Stadium
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Sun Belt Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Appalachian State		0	–	0					1	–	0
James Madison		0	–	0					1	–	1
Coastal Carolina		0	–	0					0	–	1
Georgia Southern		0	–	0					0	–	1
Georgia State		0	–	0					0	–	1
Marshall		0	–	0					0	–	1
Old Dominion		0	–	0					0	–	1
West Division
Arkansas State		0	–	0					1	–	0
Louisiana–Monroe		0	–	0					1	–	0
South Alabama		0	–	0					1	–	0
Texas State		0	–	0					1	–	0
Troy		0	–	0					1	–	0
Louisiana		0	–	0					0	–	1
Southern Miss		0	–	0					0	–	1
Championship: December 5, 2025
As of September 6, 2025 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 James Madison Dukes football team will represent James Madison University in the Sun Belt Conference's East Division during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Dukes are expected to be led by Bob Chesney in his second year as the head coach. The Dukes play their home games at the Bridgeforth Stadium, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player	Position	Destination
Jamari Somerville	DB	Akron
Evan Spivey	S	Campbell
Brett Griffis	QB	Central Connecticut
Ke'Marion Baldwin	RB	Charleston Southern
Chris Lofton	WR	Gardner–Webb
Max Moss	WR	Hampton
Marcellus Nash	DL	Hampton
Jack Mowrey	LS	Hawaii
Trevell Mullen	CB	Illinois State
Cameron Jones	OT	Kentucky
Lexington Matthews	P	Louisiana Tech
Chauncey Logan Jr.	CB	Memphis
Jesse Ramil	OL	Mississippi State
Antoine Booth	CB	North Dakota State
Tyjai Hopper	CB	Oregon State
Jeremiah Mawali	DL	Prairie View A&M
Darold DeNgohe	DL	Rutgers
Eric O'Neill	DE	Rutgers
Yamir Knight	WR	SMU
Treyvon Adams	DL	Towson
Noe Ruelas	K	UCF
Tyshawn Wyatt	OL	Virginia
Cam Ross	WR	Virginia
Micah Pennix	DL	Virginia Union
Quincy Jenkins	IOL	Western Kentucky
Erick Harris	WR	Unknown
Desmond Green	WR	Unknown
Breon Brown	OT	Unknown
Hunter McLain	IOL	Unknown
Samson Ogunade	DL	Unknown
Kyle Lenhart	IOL	Unknown
RoyMarr Thomas	EDGE	Valdosta State
Carter Banks	EDGE	Unknown
Billy Atkins	QB	Unknown
Andrew VanSlyke	P	Withdrawn

Incoming

Player	Position	Previous school
Elijah Culp	CB	Charlotte
Lacota Dippre	DE	Charlotte
Ken Willis	CB	Cincinnati
Andrew Taddeo	DL	Colgate
James Pogorelc	OT	Duke
Josiah Kennard	LS	East Texas A&M
Morgan Suarez	K	Florida Atlantic
Jordan Fuller	RB	Holy Cross
Curtis Harris-Lopez	S	Holy Cross
Cam McNair	OT	Holy Cross
Isaiah Alston	WR	Iowa State
Nunu Concepcion	WR	Kansas State
Jayden Studio	LB	Kent State
Kells Bush	DL	Louisiana Tech
Patrick Rea	P	Louisiana Tech
Xavier Holmes	DL	Maine
Chantz Harley	DB	Maryland
Braeden Wisloski	WR	Maryland
Zach Greenberg	OL	North Carolina
Aiden Gobaira	DE	Notre Dame
Camden Coleman	QB	Richmond
Landon Ellis	WR	Richmond
Nick DeGennaro	WR	Richmond
Turner Schmidt	EDGE	Robert Morris
Mekhi Rodgers	DB	Saint Francis (PA)
Lexington Matthews	P	Savannah State
JT Kouame-Yao	LB	Shepherd
Jamir Conn	DB	Southern Illinois
Za'Ron Collins	WR	Tusculum
Matthew Sluka	QB	UNLV
Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen	WR	USF
Jeremiah Mawali	OL	Valdosta State
Jaylan Sanchez	WR	Villanova
TJ McGill	S	William & Mary

^{[1] [2] [3]}

Preseason

Media poll

In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Dukes were picked to finish first place in the East division. ^[4]

Running back George Pettaway, offensive lineman Pat McMurtrie and defensive back Jacob Thomas were awarded to be in the preseason All-Sun Belt first team offense and defense, respectively. ^[5] Quarterback Alonza Barnett III, defensive lineman Immanuel Bush, linebacker Trent Hendrick, defensive back DJ Barksdale and associated press player George Pettaway were named to the second team.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	6:00 p.m.	Weber State *	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA	ESPN+	W 45–10	24,965
September 5	7:30 p.m.	at Louisville *	L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium Louisville, KY	ESPN2	L 14–28	48,717
September 20	6:00 p.m.	at Liberty *	Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA	ESPN Networks
September 27		Georgia Southern	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA
October 4		at Georgia State	Center Parc Stadium Atlanta, GA
October 11		Louisiana	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA
October 18		Old Dominion	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA (Royal Rivalry)
October 28	8:00 p.m.	at Texas State	UFCU Stadium San Marcos, TX	ESPN2
November 8		at Marshall	Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV
November 15		Appalachian State	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA
November 22		Washington State *	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA
November 29		at Coastal Carolina	Brooks Stadium Conway, SC
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Eastern time

^[6]

Game summaries

Weber State (FCS)

See also: 2025 Weber State Wildcats football team

Weber State Wildcats (FCS) (0-0) at James Madison Dukes (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats (FCS)	0	7	3	0	10
Dukes	14	14	3	14	45

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: August 30
• Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
• Game attendance: 24,965
• Referee: Tim Barker
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Curt Dudley, Delvin Joyce, and David Hulvey

Game information

First quarter JMU – Alonza Barnett III 11-yard run (Morgan Suarez kick), 8:25. Dukes 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:46. JMU – Isaiah Alston 20-yard pass from Alonza Barnett III (Morgan Suarez kick), 0:46. Dukes 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 5:16. Second quarter JMU – Matthew Sluka 1-yard run (Morgan Suarez kick), 7:12. Dukes 21–0. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:34. JMU – Landon Ellis 14-yard pass from Matthew Sluka (Morgan Suarez kick), 3:36. Dukes 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 0:39. WEB – Noah Kjar 14-yard pass from Jackson Gilkey (Sloan Calder kick), 0:53. Dukes 28–7. Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards 0:44. Third quarter WEB – Sloan Calder 51-yard field goal, 11:03. Dukes 28–10. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:00. JMU – Morgan Suarez 38-yard field goal, 7:21. Dukes 31–10. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 3:42. Fourth quarter JMU – Wayne Knight 59-yard run (Morgan Suarez kick), 14:51. Dukes 38–10. Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 1:02. JMU – JC Evans 5-yard run (Morgan Suarez kick), 4:48. Dukes 45–10. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:06.

Statistics	WEB	JMU
First downs	10	23
Total yards	148	458
Rushing yards	64	313
Passing yards	84	145
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10–26–3	17–27–1
Time of possession	27:33	32:27

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Weber State	Passing	Jackson Gilkey	10/24, 84 yards, TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Zach Hrbacek	12 carries, 39 yards
	Receiving	Marcus Chretien	2 receptions, 22 yards
James Madison	Passing	Alonza Barnett III	14/22, 130 yards, TD
	Rushing	George Pettaway	10 carries, 99 yards
	Receiving	Michael Scott	4 receptions, 38 yards

at Louisville

See also: 2025 Louisville Cardinals football team

James Madison Dukes (1–0) at Louisville Cardinals (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dukes	7	0	7	0	14
Cardinals	0	6	8	14	28

at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium • Louisville, KY

• Date: September 5, 2025
• Game time: 7:30 PM EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: NW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 48,717
• Referee: Mike Roche
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (4:01) JMU – Lacota Dippre 3-yard pass from Alonza Barnett (Morgan Suarez kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 5:35; James Madison 7–0) Second quarter (5:21) LOU – Cooper Ranvier 22-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 5:58; James Madison 7–3) (0:09) LOU – Cooper Ranvier 38-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 1:33; James Madison 7–6) Third quarter (10:10) JMU – Matthew Sluka 8-yard run (Morgan Suarez kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:50; James Madison 14–6) (8:37) LOU – Chris Bell 64-yard pass from Miller Moss (Miller Moss run) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:33; Tied 14–14) Fourth quarter (13:05) LOU – AJ Green 0-yard fumble recovery (Cooper Ranvier PAT failed) (Louisville 20–14) (3:31) LOU – Isaac Brown 78-yard run (Dacari Collins pass from Miller Moss) (Drive: 2 plays, 81 yards, 0:54; Louisville 28–14)

Statistics	JMU	LOU
First downs	19	12
Total yards	263	264
Rushes–yards	47–126	30–113
Passing yards	137	151
Passing: comp–att–int	18–31–1	13–23–0
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	37:18	22:42

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
James Madison	Passing	Alonza Barrett III	15–25, 102 yards, TD
	Rushing	Matthew Sluka	21 carries, 83 yards, TD
	Receiving	Landon Ellis	3 receptions, 55 yards
Louisville	Passing	Miller Moss	13–23, 151 yards, TD
	Rushing	Isaac Brown	12 carries, 104 yards, TD
	Receiving	Chris Bell	4 receptions, 83 yards, TD

at Liberty

See also: 2025 Liberty Flames football team

James Madison Dukes (1–1) vs Liberty Flames (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Dukes			0
Flames			0

at Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 6:00 PM EDT

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	JMU	LIB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Liberty	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Georgia Southern

See also: 2025 Georgia Southern Eagles football team

Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) vs James Madison Dukes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Eagles			0
Dukes			0

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: September 27, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	GASO	JMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Georgia State

See also: 2025 Georgia State Panthers football team

James Madison Dukes (0–0) vs. Georgia State Panthers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Dukes			0
Panthers			0

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA

• Date: October 4, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	JMU	GAST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgia State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Louisiana

See also: 2025 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (0–0) vs. James Madison Dukes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Ragin' Cajuns			0
Dukes			0

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: October 11, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	ULL	JMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Louisiana	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Old Dominion (Royal Rivalry)

See also: 2025 Old Dominion Monarchs football team and Royal Rivalry § Football

Old Dominion Monarchs (0–0) vs. James Madison Dukes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Monarchs			0
Dukes			0

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: October 18, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	ODU	JMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Old Dominion	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Texas State

See also: 2025 Texas State Bobcats football team

James Madison Dukes (0–0) vs Texas State Bobcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Dukes			0
Bobcats			0

at UFCU Stadium • San Marcos, TX

• Date: October 28, 2025
• Game time: 6:30 PM CDT

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	JMU	TXST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Texas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Marshall

See also: 2025 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

James Madison Dukes (0–0) vs Marshall Thundering Herd (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Dukes			0
Thundering Herd			0

at Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV

• Date: November 8, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	JMU	MRSH
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Marshall	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Appalachian State

See also: 2025 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team

Appalachian State Mountaineers (0–0) vs. James Madison Dukes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Mountaineers			0
Dukes			0

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: November 15, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	APP	JMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Appalachian State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Washington State

See also: 2025 Washington State Cougars football team

Washington State Cougars (0–0) vs. James Madison Dukes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Cougars			0
Dukes			0

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: November 22, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	WSU	JMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Washington State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Coastal Carolina

See also: 2025 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team

James Madison Dukes (0–0) vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Dukes			0
Chanticleers			0

at Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC

• Date: November 29, 2025

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Win Probability Line Over/Under

Statistics	JMU	CCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
James Madison	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Coastal Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Personnel

2025 James Madison Dukes football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 2 Jayden Mines  Jr RB 3 Wayne Knight  Jr RB 6 George Pettaway  Jr RB 7 Ayo Adeyi  Sr WR 8 Yamir Knight Jr QB 11 Billy Atkins  Sr QB 12 JC Evans  Fr WR 13 Troy Lewis  Sr QB 14 Alonza Barnett III  Jr QB 18 Blake Kendall  Jr TE 18 Logan Kyle  Sr RB 28 Jobi Malary  Sr TE 49 Ryder Post  Fr OL 50 Quincy Jenkins  Sr OL 53 Hunter McLain  Jr OL 55 Riley Robell  So OL 56 JaKobe Campbell  Fr OL 60 Carter Sweazie  Jr OL 67 Jacob Hohenshelt  Fr OL 68 Griffin Hart  So OL 69 Breon Brown  So OL 70 Brett Davis  Sr OL 71 Deacon Rawls  Fr OL 72 Josh Toner  Sr OL 73 Evan Bushong  Fr OL 75 Kyle Lenhart  So OL 76 Pat McMurtrie GS OL 78 Cameron Jones  So OL 79 Joseph Simmons  Jr WR 88 Dylan Williams So TE 89 Josh Phifer  So TE 94 Spencer Toth  Jr QB Camden Coleman Jr WR Za'Ron Collins  So WR Nick DeGennaro  Sr TE Lacota Dippre  So WR Landon Ellis Jr OL Zach Greenberg  Sr TE Brian Hnat Fr OL Jeremiah Mawali  Sr RB Jackson McCarter Fr WR Chase Miller  Jr WR Jaylan Sanchez Sr WR Michael Scott Fr QB Matthew Sluka  Sr WR Jamarcus Smith Fr OL Trent Wilson Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 2 Chauncey Logan Sr LB 5 Trent Hendrick Sr S 7 Jacob Thomas Sr DL 8 Amar Thomas  Jr S 12 Kye Holmes  Sr NIC 14 KJ Flowe So DL 15 Immanuel Bush  Sr LB 17 Gannon Weathersby Jr CB 18 Evan Spivey  So S 22 Chase Regan So CB 23 Trevell Mullen  Jr S 24 Phillip Harris  Fr S 26 Jahquil Batts  Sr CB 28 Tyjai Hopper  Fr S 29 Tyler Brown So CB 30 Justin Eaglin  Jr NIC 32 DJ Barksdale Jr NIC 34 Isaiah West  So S 35 Joshua Prince  Fr CB 36 Milt Ferguson  Fr CB 37 Jamaree Seldon  Jr S 38 Stephen Hollander  Jr LB 40 Jackson Snyder  So S 41 George Lovelace  Fr DL 42 Carter Banks  Jr DL 44 DJ Cotton Jr.  So LB 45 Trashon Dye  Fr LB 46 Immanuel Ezeogu  Fr S 47 Kevin Kabasele  Fr DL 48 Greyson Cadd  Jr LB 51 Danny Reagan  Fr LB 52 Jackson Hamil  Fr LB 54 Brandon Fique  Sr DL 55 Treyvon Adams  Fr DL 57 Cole Purdy  Fr DL 59 Micah Pennix  Fr DL 62 Ibraheem Ramadan  Fr DL 90 Terry Lockett Jr.  Sr DL 91 Marcellus Nash  Fr DL 93 Mychal McMullin  So DL 95 Sahir West  Fr DL 98 Samson Ogunade  So DL Kells Bush  Jr NIC Kai Callen Fr CB Chantz Harley  Sr DL Xavier Holmes  Sr LB JT Kouame-Yao Sr S TJ McGill  So CB Mekhi Rodgers Sr DL Roy'Marr Thomas Fr DL Cole Webster Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 16 Noe Ruelas  Sr LS 40 Logan Ketcham Sr LS 43 Jack Mowrey  So K 93 Max Lipinski  Fr K 95 Cristiano Rosa  Jr LS Josiah Kennard  Sr P Lexington Matthews  So	Head coach Bob Chesney Coordinators/assistant coaches Dean Kennedy (Offensive coordinator / Quarterbacks) Drew Canan (Special teams coordinator / Tight ends) Chris Smith (Offensive line / run game coordinator) Anthony DiMichele (Safeties / recruiting coordinator) Eddie Whitley Jr. (Cornerbacks) Justin Harper (Wide receivers) Zach Sparber (Linebackers) Sam Daniels (Defensive line) David Sims Jr. (Running backs) Kyle Barnes (Nickels) Matt Moran (Assistant special teams) Julio Ayamel (Graduate assistant) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: January 26, 2025

References

1. "James Madison Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
2. "James Madison Dukes 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
3. "JMU Football Signs 19 Transfers for 2025 Season". jmusports. January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
4. "Sun Belt Announces 2025 Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
5. "JMU Predicted as East Favorite, Seven Dukes Named Preseason All-Sun Belt". James Madison University Athletics. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
6. "2025 James Madison Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 27, 2025.