App Uses Big Second Quarter to Upend Dukes

Saturday, November 23

Boone, N.C.

2:30 p.m.

James Madison University

8-3 , 4-3

App State

5-5 , 3-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

James Madison

App State

11/23/2024 6:15:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

BOONE, N.C. – App State used a 24-point spurt in the second quarter to overcome an early two-score deficit and held off James Madison in the second half to down the Dukes, 34-20, on Saturday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

The Mountaineers improved to 5-5 on the year and 3-4 in Sun Belt play, while the Dukes fell to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in league matchups. It was also App's second straight win against JMU.

The Dukes held App to just 11 yards in the first and jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the second quarter, but a 24-point App State surge, which included a 64-yard touchdown pass and a blocked punt for a score, gave the hosts the lead for good.

Makai Jackson sparked the App offense with a career-high 162 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches. Joey Aguilar overcame a slow start and finished with 216 passing yards and a pair of scores through the air. Ahmani Marshall had a strong second half, scoring a third-quarter touchdown and finishing with 108 rushing yards.

For JMU, Alonza Barnett III was 21-of-36 for 232 passing yards and two touchdowns. The tandem of George Pettaway and Wayne Knight combined for 143 rushing yards, as Pettaway had a team-high 82 rushing yards, while Wayne Knight added 61 yards.

After halftime, Noe Ruelas, who made two field goals, connected from 52 yards to bring JMU within 24-20. But App answered with a 76-yard drive, and Marshall rumbled in to make it 31-20 heading to the fourth.

JMU turned it over in its territory, and App extended its lead to 34-20 on a Michael Hughes 41-yard field goal. With just over nine minutes to go, Barnett looked deep down the far sideline, but Jason Chambers came away with his first career interception to give the ball back to App. It was just the third interception of the season by JMU.

The Mountaineers, who are the first team this season to win the turnover battle against JMU (2-0), made a red zone stop with 2:41 remaining to hold on for the 34-20 win.

Defensively, Eric O'Neill was active in the backfield, finishing with nine tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack with a pair of hurries. Khairi Manns made seven stops, including a team-high four solo, while Taurus Jones added six tackles and 0.5 sacks.

For App, Michael Fletcher came away with a pair of sacks. Brendan Harrington and Kyle Arnholt each registered 11 tackles, while Santana Hopper finished with 2.5 tackles for loss.

JMU closes the regular season for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 30 against Marshall. Kickoff at Bridgforth Stadium is set for 8 p.m. on ESPNU.

GAME NOTES

James Madison out-gained App State, 400-361.
The Dukes went 6-for-15 (.400) on third downs, while the Mountaineers finished 3-of-13 (.231).
App State won the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin, marking the first time JMU lost the takeaway margin in 2024.
With Yamir Knight's first-quarter touchdown reception, a Knight has crossed the pylons in three straight games.
Josh Phifer's 37-yard pop-pass touchdown catch, which made it 14-0 for JMU, was his first career touchdown and a career-long catch.
Ruelas' 52-yard field goal was tied for the second-longest field goal in JMU history.
Makai Jackson became the first player to surpass 100 receiving yards against JMU this season.
The 24-second quarter points by App State was the most an opponent has scored against JMU in a single quarter this season.