James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Saturday, September 19
San Diego, Calif.
10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
James Madison University
at
San Diego State
Dukes Embark on Cross-Country Trip to San Diego State
9/15/2026 3:24:00 PM | Football
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison hits the road for the first time this season with a matchup at San Diego State on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff at Snapdragon Stadium is set for 10 p.m. ET, and the game will be aired live on CW Sports.
The Dukes (2-0) are coming off a historic performance in their last time out. JMU topped Wagner, 87-3, on Sept. 12, at Bridgeforth Stadium, the most points scored in a game in program history.
JMU tied a single-game program record with 12 touchdowns – six on the ground, three through the air and three on special teams. The Dukes returned three punts for touchdowns on the day, which tied an NCAA single-game record.
Wide receiver Michael Scott tallied 303 all-purpose yards on the day, good for the fourth-most in JMU history. He had two punt return touchdowns from 76 and 69 yards, respectively, recorded a 92-yard kickoff return and added three catches for 45 yards on offense.
Scott was named the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts on Monday.
Running back George Pettaway scored three rushing touchdowns in the win, while running back Nick Herman added two more out of the backfield to go along with 133 yards on just nine carries. Wide receiver Miles Halbert blocked a punt and returned it for a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter, then found the end zone again with a 44-yard catch in the third quarter.
Quarterback Camden Coleman finished 11-of-17 for 170 yards and a touchdown in his first career JMU start.
Defensive back Ken Willis led the way for the Dukes on defense, finishing with a game-high eight tackles, a strip sack and fumble recovery.
James Madison outgained Wagner, 588-204, in the win and held the Seahawks to just 86 rushing yards on 40 attempts.
With the win, JMU improved to 5-0 against FCS competition since joining the FBS ranks in 2022.
San Diego State (1-1) is coming off a 28-10 loss at UCLA last weekend. The Aztecs are in their first year of the new look Pac-12 Conference and have won seven straight home games dating back to last season.
The 2026 JMU football season is presented by CarMax.
BROADCAST INFO
Watch: CW Sports (Chris Fisher – PXP, Will Blackmon – Analyst, Michael Bumpus – Sideline)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network (Dave Riggert – PXP, Isai Bradshaw – Analyst)
Radio: WSVA 550 AM | 92.1 FM | Sirius XM Channel 988
Online: The Varsity Network
THE MATCHUP
Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between JMU and San Diego State. Additionally, the contest is JMU's first in California, second in the Pacific Time Zone and is the squad's longest regular-season road trip in program history.
The Dukes are 4-0 against current members of the Pac-12. JMU defeated a pair of the league's new representatives last season, topping Texas State, 52-20, and Washington State, 24-20.
The matchup is also the second straight first-time opponent for JMU. Last weekend, the Dukes battled Wagner for the first time.
A HISTORIC AFTERNOON
JMU's record-setting victory over Wagner was historic in several ways. Along with the team breaking the program record for points in a game, the Dukes' 87 points were the most by any FBS team since South Alabama topped Northwestern State, 87-3, in 2024.
Of note, no team has eclipsed 87 points in a game since 1991.
What's more, JMU's 84-point margin of victory was the largest in the FBS since 2012, when Oklahoma State defeated Northwestern State, 84-0.
JMU's three punt return touchdowns tied an NCAA record for most in a game. The feat has been accomplished several times, most recently by USC in a game against Cal in 2013.
SUCCESS IN ROAD OPENERS
The Dukes enter Saturday's game having won five of their last six road openers. Prior to last season's Week 2 loss at Louisville, JMU recorded wins in each of its first road games from 2020-24, including a victory at Charlotte in 2024, at Virginia in 2023, and at App State in its Sun Belt Conference debut in 2022.
In all, JMU is 17-7 on the road since joining the FBS in 2022, the third-most such wins in college football in that span behind Tulane (19) and Oregon (18).
The Dukes also are 5-2 in nonconference, road games since making their jump to the FBS.
IN THE POLLS
The Dukes are once again receiving votes in this week's AP Poll. JMU earned six points, up from four last week. The squad also tallied three points in the AP's preseason poll.
JMU remains the only Sun Belt program to receive votes in the poll this season.
UP NEXT
JMU opens Sun Belt Conference play as the Dukes conclude a two-game road trip at Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff at S.B. Ballard Stadium in set for 6 p.m. ET, and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Dukes (2-0) are coming off a historic performance in their last time out. JMU topped Wagner, 87-3, on Sept. 12, at Bridgeforth Stadium, the most points scored in a game in program history.
JMU tied a single-game program record with 12 touchdowns – six on the ground, three through the air and three on special teams. The Dukes returned three punts for touchdowns on the day, which tied an NCAA single-game record.
Wide receiver Michael Scott tallied 303 all-purpose yards on the day, good for the fourth-most in JMU history. He had two punt return touchdowns from 76 and 69 yards, respectively, recorded a 92-yard kickoff return and added three catches for 45 yards on offense.
Scott was named the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts on Monday.
Running back George Pettaway scored three rushing touchdowns in the win, while running back Nick Herman added two more out of the backfield to go along with 133 yards on just nine carries. Wide receiver Miles Halbert blocked a punt and returned it for a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter, then found the end zone again with a 44-yard catch in the third quarter.
Quarterback Camden Coleman finished 11-of-17 for 170 yards and a touchdown in his first career JMU start.
Defensive back Ken Willis led the way for the Dukes on defense, finishing with a game-high eight tackles, a strip sack and fumble recovery.
James Madison outgained Wagner, 588-204, in the win and held the Seahawks to just 86 rushing yards on 40 attempts.
With the win, JMU improved to 5-0 against FCS competition since joining the FBS ranks in 2022.
San Diego State (1-1) is coming off a 28-10 loss at UCLA last weekend. The Aztecs are in their first year of the new look Pac-12 Conference and have won seven straight home games dating back to last season.
The 2026 JMU football season is presented by CarMax.
BROADCAST INFO
Watch: CW Sports (Chris Fisher – PXP, Will Blackmon – Analyst, Michael Bumpus – Sideline)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network (Dave Riggert – PXP, Isai Bradshaw – Analyst)
Radio: WSVA 550 AM | 92.1 FM | Sirius XM Channel 988
Online: The Varsity Network
THE MATCHUP
Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between JMU and San Diego State. Additionally, the contest is JMU's first in California, second in the Pacific Time Zone and is the squad's longest regular-season road trip in program history.
The Dukes are 4-0 against current members of the Pac-12. JMU defeated a pair of the league's new representatives last season, topping Texas State, 52-20, and Washington State, 24-20.
The matchup is also the second straight first-time opponent for JMU. Last weekend, the Dukes battled Wagner for the first time.
A HISTORIC AFTERNOON
JMU's record-setting victory over Wagner was historic in several ways. Along with the team breaking the program record for points in a game, the Dukes' 87 points were the most by any FBS team since South Alabama topped Northwestern State, 87-3, in 2024.
Of note, no team has eclipsed 87 points in a game since 1991.
What's more, JMU's 84-point margin of victory was the largest in the FBS since 2012, when Oklahoma State defeated Northwestern State, 84-0.
JMU's three punt return touchdowns tied an NCAA record for most in a game. The feat has been accomplished several times, most recently by USC in a game against Cal in 2013.
SUCCESS IN ROAD OPENERS
The Dukes enter Saturday's game having won five of their last six road openers. Prior to last season's Week 2 loss at Louisville, JMU recorded wins in each of its first road games from 2020-24, including a victory at Charlotte in 2024, at Virginia in 2023, and at App State in its Sun Belt Conference debut in 2022.
In all, JMU is 17-7 on the road since joining the FBS in 2022, the third-most such wins in college football in that span behind Tulane (19) and Oregon (18).
The Dukes also are 5-2 in nonconference, road games since making their jump to the FBS.
IN THE POLLS
The Dukes are once again receiving votes in this week's AP Poll. JMU earned six points, up from four last week. The squad also tallied three points in the AP's preseason poll.
JMU remains the only Sun Belt program to receive votes in the poll this season.
UP NEXT
JMU opens Sun Belt Conference play as the Dukes conclude a two-game road trip at Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff at S.B. Ballard Stadium in set for 6 p.m. ET, and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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