JMU defeats Georgia State, Moves To 7-2 on The Season (11-9-24)

By: Ty Tracy

All Photo Credit: Brynne Smith & Maliyah Allen-LMS Network 

HARRISONBURG, VA-JMU Dukes gets their second win improving to 7-2 but 3-2 in conference play after dominating against the Georgia State Panthers 38 to 7. The Dukes are coming off a bye week last week trying to fix the issues they were having in October, finishing the month two and two records. JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney was pleased with all three phases of the team Saturday mentioned “A great team effort all the way around with from our guys” especially QB Alonza Barnett III and the offense. He believes that the win against the Georgia St Panthers gave them a lot of momentum going forward in the final stretch of the season.

The Dukes came out firing early scoring on their first three drives of the game making the score 21-7 by the second quarter. Arizona went 20 for 30 completing (66.6) of his passes, throwing 241 yards, and two touchdown passes without an interception. Coach Chesney was excited about QB Barnett’s play on Saturday saying “It was fun to watch. The confidence was there, and he played sharp.” The offense was capitalizing on every third downs being 7 out of 8 in the first half on third downs, but finished the game 9 out of 17 on third downs and 5 out of 6 in redzone chances.

While the JMU defense front seven was dominated with 9 Tackles for Loss and 4 sacks. JMU DE Eric O’Neill was giving the Panthers a hard time maintaining him on the line scrimmage with two sacks and three TFLs. The Dukes’ Defense held the Panthers to seven points the entire and held the Panthers run game under 50 yards with Panthers RB Freddie Brock leading the team in rushing yards only running for 25 yards. “We were able to play fast and play how we wanted to play because we knew what they were doing,” O’Neill said. “We were playing free, and it helped a lot.”

JMU is sitting at the fourth spot in Sun Belt Conference east division keeping them in the picture only have two conferences lost. The Duke will travel to Norfolk, VA to take on the Old Dominion Monarchs on Saturday, November 16th. JMU will have to win their last three games of the season to stay in the Conference championship picture.