James Madison Dominates App State in Convincing Victory

James Madison Dominates App State in Convincing Victory

James Madison University (JMU) secured a resounding victory over Appalachian State (App State) with a final score of 58-10. The Dukes showcased a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, overwhelming the Mountaineers from start to finish.

Key Individual Performances

The Dukes' offense was led by quarterback Alonza Barnett, who threw for an impressive 303 passing yards, completing 22 of 35 attempts. Barnett's ability to distribute the ball effectively kept the App State defense on its heels. On the ground, JMU's rushing attack was unstoppable, spearheaded by Jobi Malary, who ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries. Wayne Knight added 94 rushing yards and a touchdown, further solidifying JMU's dominance in the running game. Jaylan Sanchez was a key receiver for JMU, catching two passes for 69 yards.

For App State, the passing game struggled, with J.J. Kohl leading the way with 81 passing yards and one touchdown. AJ Swann also saw action at quarterback, throwing for 64 yards. Dalton Stroman was the top receiver for the Mountaineers, tallying 74 receiving yards on three catches. Rashod Dubinion led App State in rushing with 25 yards.

Defensively, DJ Burks of App State led all tacklers with 11 tackles. Colton Phares contributed eight tackles and a sack for the Mountaineers. Rondarius Porter added a sack as well for App State. Trent Hendrick recorded six tackles for James Madison.

Turning Points

The game's momentum clearly swung in JMU's favor early on. In the 1st quarter, a 42-yard completion from Alonza Barnett to Jaylan Sanchez set up a promising drive for the Dukes. In the 2nd quarter, a 41-yard run by Wayne Knight brought JMU within striking distance of the end zone. JMU's defense also stepped up in the 2nd quarter, with Rondarius Porter sacking Barnett for a 14-yard loss, but the Dukes kept their foot on the gas.

The 4th quarter saw JMU continue to extend its lead. Jobi Malary's explosive 59-yard run in the 4th quarter set up another scoring opportunity for the Dukes. The Dukes' special teams also contributed, with a successful 48-yard field goal by D. De Freitas in the 4th quarter. App State's struggles continued as AJ Swann was sacked for an 11-yard loss in the 4th quarter.

Looking Ahead

James Madison's convincing win over App State showcased their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. The Dukes will look to build on this performance as they continue their season. App State will need to regroup and address areas for improvement, particularly on offense, as they look to bounce back in their next contest.