The 2023 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University as a member of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Curt Cignetti, the Dukes played home games at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia as members of the East division of the Sun Belt Conference. The James Madison Dukes football team drew an average home attendance of 25,372 in 2023.
The season was the final year of a two-year transition from the Football Championship Subdivision. The team was not originally eligible for a bowl game;[1] a request for a waiver was denied by the NCAA in August,[2] and a waiver for relief was also denied in November.[3] However, as there were not enough bowl eligible teams, they were given a berth. JMU was selected to play in the Armed Forces Bowl.[4]
Preseason
In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Dukes were picked to finish in first place in the East division.[5]
| Media poll (East division)
|
| Predicted finish
|
Team
|
Votes (1st place)
|
| 1 |
James Madison |
78 (4)
|
| 2 |
Appalachian State |
75 (4)
|
| 3 |
Coastal Carolina |
71 (1)
|
| 4 |
Marshall |
68 (1)
|
| 5 |
Georgia Southern |
52 (1)
|
| 6 |
Georgia State |
31
|
| 7 |
Old Dominion |
17
|
Offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, defensive lineman James Carpenter, and punter Ryan Hanson were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt first team. Linebacker Taurus Jones was named to the second team.[5]
Schedule
The football schedule was announced February 24, 2023.[6]
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| September 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Bucknell* | | | ESPN+ | W 38–3 | 23,756 |
| September 9 | 12:00 p.m. | at Virginia* | | | ESPNU | W 36–35 | 56,508 |
| September 16 | 7:00 p.m. | at Troy | | | NFLN | W 16–14 | 26,634 |
| September 23 | 8:00 p.m. | at Utah State* | | | MW Network | W 45–38 | 19,994 |
| September 30 | 12:00 p.m. | South Alabama | | - Bridgeforth Stadium
- Harrisonburg, VA
| ESPNU | W 31–23 | 26,064 |
| October 14 | 12:00 p.m. | Georgia Southern | | - Bridgeforth Stadium
- Harrisonburg, VA
| ESPN2 | W 41–13 | 25,097 |
| 7:00 p.m. | at Marshall | | | ESPN | W 20–9 | 22,109 |
| October 28 | 8:00 p.m. | Old Dominion | No. 25 | | ESPNU | W 30–27 | 26,239 |
| November 4 | 3:30 p.m. | at Georgia State | | | ESPN2 | W 42–14 | 15,320 |
| November 11 | 2:00 p.m. | UConn* | | - Bridgeforth Stadium
- Harrisonburg, VA
| ESPN+ | W 44–6 | 25,240 |
| November 18 | 2:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | | | ESPN+ | L 23–26 OT | 25,838 |
| November 25 | 3:30 p.m. | at Coastal Carolina | | | ESPN2 | W 56–14 | 16,196 |
| December 23 | 3:30 p.m. | vs. Air Force* | | | ABC | L 21–31 | 30,828 |
|
Roster
| 2023 James Madison Dukes football team roster
|
| Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| WR
|
0
|
Phoenix Sproles
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
1
|
Reggie Brown
|
Sr
|
| QB
|
2
|
Jordan McCloud
|
Sr
|
| RB
|
3
|
Solomon Vanhorse
|
Sr
|
| RB
|
5
|
Latrele Palmer
|
Sr
|
| RB
|
6
|
Kaelon Black
|
So
|
| RB
|
7
|
Ty Son Lawton
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
8
|
Maxwell Moss
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
9
|
Omarion Dollison
|
Jr
|
| QB
|
10
|
Brett Griffis
|
Fr
|
| QB
|
11
|
Billy Atkins
|
So
|
| WR
|
12
|
Jayden Mines
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
13
|
Elijah Sarratt
|
So
|
| QB
|
14
|
Alonza Barnett III
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
15
|
Kyi Wright
|
Jr
|
| WR
|
16
|
Desmond Green
|
So
|
| TE
|
17
|
Taylor Thompson
|
Jr
|
| QB
|
18
|
Blake Kendall
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
19
|
Taji Hudson
|
So
|
| WR
|
20
|
Yamir Knight
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
21
|
Chris Lofton
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
23
|
Sammy Malignaggi
|
Jr
|
| RB
|
25
|
Wayne Knight
|
So
|
| RB
|
28
|
Ke'Marion Baldwin
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
32
|
Kalin Jean
|
So
|
| WR
|
37
|
Blake Barnes
|
So
|
| RB
|
40
|
Peyton Rutherford
|
Jr
|
| TE
|
44
|
Zach Horton
|
Jr
|
| WR
|
49
|
Payton Hunter
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
50
|
Carter Miller
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
52
|
Tyshawn Wyatt
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
55
|
Ronald Altman
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
56
|
Nick Kidwell
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
58
|
Tanner Morris
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
60
|
Carter Sweazie
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
62
|
Wesley Bostic
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
66
|
Cole Potts
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
68
|
Griffin Hart
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
69
|
Breon Brown
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
70
|
Brett Davis
|
So
|
| OL
|
71
|
Isaac Owusu-Appiah
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
72
|
Josh Toner
|
So
|
| OL
|
74
|
Tyler Stephens
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
75
|
Kyle Lenhart
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
77
|
Aaron Gunn
|
So
|
| OL
|
78
|
Cameron Jones
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
79
|
Joseph Simmons
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
81
|
Gabriel Hollingsworth
|
Jr
|
| WR
|
82
|
Troy Lewis
|
So
|
| WR
|
83
|
Erick Harris
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
84
|
Rykin Maxwell
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
85
|
Jordan Funk
|
Jr
|
| TE
|
86
|
Collin Carroll
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
88
|
Ibrahim Barry
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
89
|
Josh Phifer
|
Fr
|
|
Defense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| LB
|
0
|
Taurus Jones
|
Jr
|
| S
|
1
|
Que Reid
|
Sr
|
| CB
|
2
|
Chauncey Logan
|
So
|
| DL
|
3
|
Mikail Kamara
|
So
|
| LB
|
5
|
Jailin Walker
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
6
|
Julio Ayamel
|
Jr
|
| S
|
7
|
Jarius Reimonenq
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
8
|
Abi Nwabouku-Okonji
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
9
|
Jamree Kromah
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
10
|
Jalen Green
|
Sr
|
| LB
|
11
|
Aiden Fisher
|
So
|
| S
|
12
|
Josh Sarratt
|
Sr
|
| CB
|
14
|
Nehki Meredith
|
So
|
| CB
|
16
|
Trevell Mullen
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
17
|
Amar Thomas
|
Fr
|
| S
|
18
|
Evan Spivey
|
Fr
|
| CB
|
19
|
D'Angelo Ponds
|
Fr
|
| S
|
21
|
Jamari Somerville
|
Fr
|
| CB
|
23
|
Brent Austin
|
So
|
| LB
|
24
|
Trent Hendrick
|
So
|
| CB
|
26
|
Devyn Coles
|
Sr
|
| S
|
27
|
Jacob Thomas
|
So
|
| S
|
28
|
Kye Holmes
|
So
|
| CB
|
30
|
Justin Eaglin
|
Fr
|
| CB
|
31
|
Antoine Booth
|
So
|
| S
|
32
|
DJ Barksdale
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
33
|
Gannon Weathersby
|
Fr
|
| S
|
34
|
Chris Chukwuneke
|
Sr
|
| S
|
35
|
Jahquil Batts
|
So
|
| CB
|
37
|
Jamaree Seldon
|
Fr
|
| S
|
38
|
Stephen Hollander
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
39
|
Payne Bauer
|
So
|
| DL
|
42
|
Carter Banks
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
43
|
Matthew Channell
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
46
|
Jackson Snyder
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
47
|
Noah Holmes
|
Jr
|
| DL
|
48
|
Greyson Cadd
|
Fr
|
| S
|
49
|
Francis Meehan
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
51
|
Riley Robell
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
52
|
Seth Noatala
|
So
|
| DL
|
53
|
Zai Roberts
|
So
|
| LB
|
54
|
Brandon Fique
|
So
|
| DL
|
55
|
Immanuel Bush
|
So
|
| DL
|
59
|
Tyrique Tucker
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
61
|
Spencer Toth
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
92
|
Darold DeNgohe
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
93
|
Mychal McMullin
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
94
|
Sean Johns
|
Jr
|
| DL
|
98
|
Samson Ogunade
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
99
|
James Carpenter
|
Jr
|
|
Special teams
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| K
|
40
|
Camden Wise
|
Sr
|
| K
|
41
|
Nathan Patterson
|
Fr
|
| LS
|
47
|
Kaden Schickel
|
So
|
| P
|
48
|
Ryan Hanson
|
Jr
|
| LS
|
54
|
Jack Mowrey
|
Fr
|
| K
|
63
|
Nick Gonzalez
|
Jr
|
| K
|
96
|
Connor Madden
|
Sr
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Mike Shanahan (Offensive coordinator / Wide receivers)
- Bryant Haines (Defensive coordinator / Linebackers)
- Grant Cain (Special teams coordinator / Tight ends / Assistant head coach)
- Marcus Hall-Oliver (Safeties)
- Jarred Holley (Cornerbacks)
- John Miller (Running backs)
- Damian Wroblewski (Offensive line / Assistant head coach)
- Tino Sunseri (Quarterbacks / Pass game)
- Pat Kuntz (Defensive line)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster
Last update: August 29, 2023
|
Game summaries
vs Bucknell
at Virginia
at Troy
at Utah State
vs South Alabama
South Alabama Jaguars (2–2) at James Madison Dukes (4–0)
at Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA
- Date: September 30, 2023
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 26,064
- Referee: Trennis Livingston
- TV announcers (ESPNU): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (12:49) JMU – Elijah Sarratt 48-yard pass from Jordan McCloud, Camden Wise kick (Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 0:22; James Madison 7–0)
- (8:04) JMU – Zach Horton 44-yard pass from Jordan McCloud, Camden Wise kick (Drive: 1 plays, 44 yards, 0:11; James Madison 14–0)
- Second Quarter
- (6:10) JMU – Camden Wise 31-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:56; James Madison 17–0)
- (5:37) USA – Jamaal Pritchett 48-yard pass from Carter Bradley, Diego Guajardo kick (Drive: 2 plays, 70 yards, 0:29; James Madison 17–7)
- (3:49) JMU – Jalen Green 24-yard interception, Camden Wise kick (Drive: James Madison 24–7)
- Third Quarter
- (0:21) USA – Diego Guajardo 40-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:37; James Madison 24–10)
- Fourth Quarter
- (11:32) JMU – Zach Horton 66-yard pass from Jordan McCloud, Camden Wise kick (Drive: 2 plays, 71 yards, 0:49; James Madison 31–10)
- (8:19) USA – Lincoln Sefcik 3-yard pass from Carter Bradley (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:13; James Madison 31–16)
- (3:56) USA – La'Damian Webb 1-yard run, Diego Guajardo kick (Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 1:48; James Madison 31–23)
|
- Win Probability
- Line
- Over/Under
|
|
| Statistics |
USA |
JMU
|
| First downs |
20 |
15
|
| Total yards |
326 |
377
|
| Rushing yards |
3 |
7
|
| Passing yards |
12 |
6
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
28–50–2 |
12–22–1
|
| Time of possession |
28:46 |
31:14
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| South Alabama |
Passing |
Carter Bradley |
28/50, 299 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
La'Damian Webb |
12 carries, 36 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Caullin Lacy |
6 receptions, 132 yards
|
| James Madison |
Passing |
Jordan McCloud |
12/22, 241 yards, 3 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Jordan McCloud |
10 carries, 61 yards
|
| Receiving |
Zach Horton |
3 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
|
vs Georgia Southern
at Marshall
Game Seven – James Madison Dukes (6–0) at Marshall Thundering Herd (4–2)
at Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, West Virginia
- Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 22,109
- Referee: Wayne Winkler
- TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
- Pregame line: James Madison –3.5
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- (11:38) JMU – Camden Wise 27 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:53; James Madison 3–0)
- Third quarter
- (11:57) MRSH – TyQaze Leggs safety (James Madison 3–2)
- (7:17) JMU – Camden Wise 38 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:00; James Madison 6–2)
- (1:12) JMU – Jordan McCloud 6 yard run, Camden Wise kick (Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:55; James Madison 13–2)
- Fourth quarter
- (14:08) JMU – Reggie Brown 28 yard pass from Jordan McCloud, Camden Wise kick (Drive: 5 plays, 37 yards, 1:17; James Madison 20–2)
- (13:55) MRSH – Jayden Harrison 94 yard kickoff return, Rece Verhoff kick (James Madison 20–9)
|
| Statistics
|
JMU
|
MRSH
|
| First downs |
19 |
10
|
| Plays–yards |
69–405 |
62–169
|
| Rushes–yards |
36–131 |
32–-4
|
| Passing yards |
274 |
173
|
| Passing: comp–att–int |
22–33–1 |
17–30–1
|
| Time of possession |
33:49 |
26:11
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| James Madison
|
Passing |
Jordan McCloud |
21/31, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
| Rushing |
Jordan McCloud |
6 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
|
| Receiving |
Reggie Brown |
6 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD
|
| Marshall
|
Passing |
Cam Fancher |
17/30, 173 yards, 1 INT
|
| Rushing |
Ethan Payne |
20 carries, 62 yards
|
| Receiving |
Jayden Harrison |
4 receptions, 40 yards
|
vs Old Dominion
at Georgia State
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
- Win Probability
- Line
- Over/Under
|
|
| Statistics |
JMU |
GSU
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Turnovers |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| James Madison |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Georgia State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
vs UConn
UConn Huskies at James Madison Dukes – Game summary
at Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Date: November 11
- Game time: 2:02 p.m.
- Game weather: Sunny, 55 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 25,240
- Referee: Marshall Lewis
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Curt Dudley, Vad Lee, Corey Spector
- Box Score
| Game information
|
First Quarter
- JMU – Wise, Camden 34 yd field goal, 0:10. Dukes 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, TOP 06:51
Second Quarter
- JMU – Wise, Camden 29 yd field goal, 9:25. Dukes 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, TOP 04:00
- JMU – Brown, Reggie 80 yd pass from McCloud, Jordan (Wise, Camden kick), 7:40. Dukes 13–0. Drive: 1 plays, 80 yards, TOP 00:11
- CONN – Ruelas, Noe 41 yd field goal, 3:26. Dukes 13–3. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, TOP 04:14
Third Quarter
- JMU – Wise, Camden 28 yd field goal, 12:09. Dukes 16–3. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, TOP 02:26
- CONN – Ruelas, Noe 31 yd field goal, 7:42. Dukes 16–6. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, TOP 04:21
- JMU – Horton, Zach 21 yd pass from McCloud, Jordan (Wise, Camden kick), 5:54. Dukes 23–6. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:48
- JMU – Brown, Reggie 55 yd pass from McCloud, Jordan (Wise, Camden kick), 2:06. Dukes 30–6. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 01:53
Fourth Quarter
- JMU – Sproles, Phoenix 5 yd pass from McCloud, Jordan (Wise, Camden kick), 6:43. Dukes 37–6. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, TOP 05:04
- JMU – Austin, Brent 81 yd interception (Wise, Camden kick), 3:43. Dukes 44–6.
|
Statistics
| Statistics |
CONN |
JMU
|
| First downs |
15 |
23
|
| Total yards |
319 |
503
|
| Rushing yards |
79 |
46
|
| Passing yards |
240 |
457
|
| Turnovers |
2 |
0
|
| Time of possession |
29:08 |
30:52
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| UConn |
Passing |
Ta'Quan Roberson |
20/36, 207 yds
|
| Rushing |
Cam Edwards |
12 att, 43 yds
|
| Receiving |
Cameron Ross |
4 rec, 91 yds
|
| James Madison |
Passing |
Jordan McCloud |
33/37, 457 yds, 4 TDs
|
| Rushing |
Kaelon Black |
4 att, 38 yds
|
| Receiving |
Reggie Brown |
9 rec, 202 yds, 2 TDs
|
vs Appalachian State
at Coastal Carolina
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
|---|
| AP | RV | RV | RV | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 24 | RV |
|---|
| Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 24 | 21 | 21 | RV | 25 | 25 | RV |
|---|
| CFP | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |
|---|
Notes
References
- ^ News-Record, NOAH FLEISCHMAN Daily (May 2, 2023). "How Likely Is a Bowl Game For JMU In 2023?". Daily News-Record. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "NCAA denies James Madison's bid for waiver to gain bowl eligibility". The Virginian-Pilot. April 27, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Salerno, Cameron (November 16, 2023). "NCAA denies postseason eligibility waiver for James Madison, Dukes must hope for dearth of bowl-eligible teams". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ Murray, Jack (November 25, 2023). "James Madison Guaranteed CFB Bowl Berth Due to Lack of 6-Win Teams". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 24, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "2023 James Madison Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Frankenberry, Jami (October 19, 2023). "Unbeaten JMU leads Sun Belt, but despite pleas NCAA rules keep Dukes from a bowl, conference title game". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
|
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National championship seasons in bold |