JMU Football Shifts 2027 Contest vs. Duquesne to Aug. 28 Season Opener

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison's 2027 home football game vs. Duquesne has been shifted from the previously-announced date of Sept. 11 to instead be the season opener on Aug. 28 at Bridgeforth Stadium.

The move was made possible by a recent NCAA bylaw change that makes the last Saturday in August, previously known as "week zero," the new official start of the college football season for all teams. The modification allows 14 weeks to play 12 games in all seasons compared to the previous model with some single-bye and some double-bye seasons depending on the calendar. Schools no longer need waivers to schedule games on the last Saturday of August.

With the Aug. 28 matchup vs. Duquesne now serving as the season opener, James Madison will begin its season at home for the seventh time in eight seasons. Previously, the Dukes had been scheduled to open 2027 at Maryland on Sept. 4, which now becomes JMU's second game of the season. JMU also has non-conference matchups scheduled on Sept. 18, renewing a former rivalry at Delaware, and a home date vs. UNLV on Sept. 25.

It will be the first Dukes vs. Dukes matchup as JMU has not faced Duquesne previously in football. James Madison will host fellow Northeast Conference member Wagner in 2026 (Sept. 12) and has previous matchups with Central Connecticut State, LIU and Robert Morris.

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