Dukes Conquer the West Coast: JMU Takes Down San Diego State 26-13 to Stay Unbeaten (9-19-26)
By: LegacyMaker Sports Team
Headline Photo Credit: JMU Athletics
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — September 19, 2026 — James Madison traveled farther than it ever had for a regular-season football game and returned home with exactly what it wanted — another victory.
Behind an impressive performance from quarterback Camden Coleman, timely takeaways from the defense and two touchdown receptions from tight end Cole Keller, JMU defeated San Diego State 26-13 Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
The victory improved the Dukes to 3-0 and gave JMU a successful road debut under head coach Billy Napier.
It was also a historic trip for the program. Saturday marked JMU’s first football game in California and its first-ever meeting with San Diego State.
The Dukes made sure the long trip was worthwhile.
JMU Wastes No Time
James Madison established control almost immediately.
The Dukes received the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in six plays, needing less than three minutes to reach the end zone.
Coleman provided the finishing touch with a four-yard touchdown run, but the drive’s biggest play came moments earlier when he connected with Braeden Wisloski for 54 yards.
JMU led 7-0.
Then the defense joined the party.
Cornerback DJ Kelly intercepted San Diego State on the Aztecs’ ensuing possession, giving the Dukes another opportunity to put points on the board.
Kicker Morgan Suarez drilled a 46-yard field goal, extending JMU’s advantage to 10-0.
From the opening minutes, the Dukes had established the tone.
Defense Keeps the Aztecs Quiet
Suarez added a 32-yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 13-0.
San Diego State finally appeared to have an opportunity to shift momentum after recovering a JMU fumble midway through the quarter.
The Dukes’ defense had other ideas.
San Diego State drove deep into JMU territory, but the Dukes produced a fourth-down stop, preventing the Aztecs from capitalizing on the turnover.
That sequence became even more important just before halftime.
With San Diego State attempting to generate points before the break, linebacker JT Hooten intercepted a pass and returned it 14 yards to the Aztecs’ 9-yard line.
JMU immediately cashed in.
Two plays later, Coleman connected with Keller for a seven-yard touchdown.
The Dukes headed into halftime with a commanding 19-0 advantage.
Coleman Delivers in His Second JMU Start
Coleman continued to show why JMU entrusted him with the offense.
Making just his second start for the Dukes, the quarterback completed 19 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
He also added 25 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Coleman consistently created opportunities downfield while protecting the football, helping JMU generate 417 yards of total offense.
His connection with Wisloski was particularly productive.
Wisloski finished with five receptions for 90 yards, highlighted by the 54-yard catch that helped set up JMU’s opening touchdown.
San Diego State Makes Its Push
After being shut out during the first half, San Diego State finally broke through midway through the third quarter.
Running back Javion Kinnard scored on a three-yard run, completing an 82-yard drive and trimming JMU’s advantage to 19-7.
For the first time all night, the Dukes needed an offensive response.
They delivered one early in the fourth quarter.
Facing fourth down, Coleman connected with Corey Scott for a crucial 20-yard completion to keep the drive alive.
Moments later, Coleman went back to Keller.
The tight end hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass, his second score of the evening, restoring JMU’s comfortable advantage at 26-7.
Keller finished with three receptions for 40 yards, but two of those catches ended in the end zone.
JMU Defense Finishes the Job
San Diego State made one final push when quarterback Jayden Denegal connected with Nathan Acevedo for a 14-yard touchdown, cutting JMU’s lead to 26-13 with 8:52 remaining.
The Aztecs wouldn’t score again.
JMU’s defense turned San Diego State over on downs on each of its final two possessions, slamming the door on any potential comeback.
Linebacker Nakian Jackson led the Dukes with 14 tackles, while safety Jayon Harvey added 12.
Hooten contributed six tackles, a sack and the critical first-half interception.
Defensive lineman Kells Bush also recorded a sack.
The defense’s ability to create turnovers was crucial.
JMU forced two interceptions, and both led directly to points.
Pettaway Keeps the Ground Game Moving
JMU also received another solid performance from running back George Pettaway.
Pettaway carried the football 20 times for 82 yards, helping the Dukes remain balanced and control possession.
JMU finished with 171 rushing yards to complement Coleman’s 246 passing yards.
The Dukes possessed the football for 30:19 and finished with 20 first downs.
San Diego State actually finished with 401 total yards, only 16 fewer than JMU, but the Dukes made the bigger plays when opportunities arrived.
Turnovers.
Fourth-down stops.
Explosive passes.
Red-zone execution.
JMU consistently won the moments that mattered most.
Dukes Make History in California
Saturday represented more than another mark in the win column.
It was JMU’s longest regular-season road trip in program history and the Dukes’ first football appearance in California.
The victory also snapped San Diego State’s seven-game home winning streak.
JMU improved to 3-0 for the sixth time in the past seven seasons and won its road opener for the sixth time during that same span.
For a program that entered 2026 with a new head coach following its historic College Football Playoff appearance last season, the Dukes have continued finding ways to win.
Special Teams Makes an Impact
The box score won’t completely capture the impact of JMU’s special teams.
Suarez connected on field goals from 46 and 32 yards, giving the Dukes valuable points during the first half.
Punter Patrick Rea also played a major role in the field-position battle, placing three punts inside San Diego State’s 20-yard line and another directly on the 20.
His performance later earned him Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
For the second consecutive week, a JMU player earned the conference’s special-teams honor.
What’s Next: Sun Belt Play Begins
The undefeated nonconference start is complete.
Now the Dukes turn their attention toward the Sun Belt.
JMU travels to Norfolk on September 26 to face in-state rival Old Dominion at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
The matchup will open conference play and renew the Royal Rivalry between the two Virginia programs.
JMU enters that game with exactly what it wanted through three weeks:
Momentum.
Confidence.
And a perfect record.
Final
James Madison 26, San Diego State 13
JMU: 3-0
San Diego State: 1-2
JMU Standouts
Camden Coleman: 246 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 25 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Cole Keller: 3 receptions, 40 yards, 2 touchdowns
Braeden Wisloski: 5 receptions, 90 yards
George Pettaway: 20 carries, 82 yards
Nakian Jackson: 14 tackles
Jayon Harvey: 12 tackles
JT Hooten: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
Morgan Suarez: 2 field goals, including a 46-yarder
James Madison traveled across the country facing a new opponent in unfamiliar territory.
None of it mattered.
The Dukes took control early, answered when San Diego State threatened and finished the job late.
Three games. Three wins.
JMU’s unbeaten start rolls on.
