Dukes Begin Sun Belt Play at Old Dominion

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison caps a two-game road trip with its Sun Belt Conference opener at Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia, is set for 6 p.m. ET, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The Dukes are off to a 3-0 start for the sixth time in the last seven seasons following last week's 26-13 win at San Diego State. In the longest regular-season road trip in program history, quarterback Camden Coleman accounted for three touchdowns in the win, finishing 19-of-27 with 246 yards and two scores through the air, while adding 25 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Tight end Cole Keller caught both of Coleman's passing touchdowns, while wide receiver Braeden Wisloski tied for the team lead with five catches and had a career-high 90 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Nakian Jackson led the way with 14 tackles, while safety Jayon Harvey added 12, including nine solos. The Dukes collected two interceptions in the win and turned the Aztecs over on downs three times.

The win snapped SDSU's seven-game home win streak.

Additionally, punter Patrick Rea downed three punts inside the 20-yard line on the night. For his efforts, he was named the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday, the second straight Duke to earn the honor after wide receiver Michael Scott garnered the award last week.

Old Dominion is 1-2 to open the 2026 campaign and coming off a 20-17 loss to East Carolina last weekend. The squad opened the year with a 31-10 win over Norfolk State on Sept. 5, before a 44-21 setback at Virginia Tech the following week.

ODU finished with 10 victories last season, the most since 2016, and won the StaffDNA Cure Bowl over South Florida.

Pregame radio coverage of the TowneBank Royal Rivalry on the Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The 2026 JMU football season is presented by CarMax.

BROADCAST INFO
Watch: ESPN+ (Scott Jackson – PXP, Andy Mashaw – Analyst)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network (Dave Riggert – PXP, Isai Bradshaw – Analyst)
Radio: WSVA 550 AM | 92.1 FM | Sirius XM Channel 995
Online: The Varsity Network

THE MATCHUP
Saturday's game marks the seventh all-time meeting between the Dukes and Monarchs. In all, JMU leads the series, 4-2, including 2-1 in Norfolk.

James Madison has won four straight games in the series, including last season's 63-27 triumph in Harrisonburg. ODU's last victory over the Dukes came in 2012.

The matchup is a part of the TowneBank Royal Rivalry Challenge, which is entering its fifth year between the two schools. The Dukes have won the all-sports challenge three times, including last season, and have tied once.

DEFENDING THE CROWN
James Madison begins its defense of its 2025 Sun Belt Championship on Saturday. The squad is opening its fifth year in the league and was voted as the East Division favorite in the Sun Belt's preseason coaches poll in July.

Overall, JMU is 25-7 in SBC action, including 12-4 on the road. Against East Division foes, the Dukes hold an 18-6 mark and are 4-0 against three opponents, including ODU.

James Madison finished a perfect 8-0 inside the league last season en route to its first Sun Belt crown.

JMU has won 10 of its last 11 conference openers, dating back to 2015. The Dukes are 3-1 in Sun Belt openers.

#GAMECHANGERS
JMU's emphasis on special teams play has been noticeable early on this season. The squad enters the week ranked No. 2 in the nation in kickoff returns (48.33) and No. 9 in punt returns (22.22). The Dukes also are one of 25 teams to block a punt.

Individually, Scott remains the nation's leader in total kickoff return yardage (318) and punt return touchdowns (2). The York, Pennsylvania, native also ranks No. 7 in punt return yardage (24.7).

In the kicking game, kicker Morgan Suarez is 5-for-5 on field goal tries in 2026, and he ranks No. 18 in the country in field goals per game (1.67). Additionally, Rea is No. 21 nationally in punting (44.0).

IN THE POLLS
JMU is receiving votes in both polls this week. The Dukes earned seven points in the AP Poll and two in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

JMU has received votes in all four editions of the AP Poll so far this season and remain the only Sun Belt team to do so in 2026.

The Dukes returned to the coaches' poll radar this week after not receiving votes following Week 1 or 2 action.

UP NEXT
The Dukes return home to play host to Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff at Bridgeforth Stadium is set for 3:45 p.m. ET, on ESPNU.

No tickets remain for the game, which is part of JMU's Family Weekend. Any students or fans wishing to attend the game should buy through the official secondary ticket marketplace, SeatGeek.

Calendar

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Players Mentioned

Camden Coleman

Jayon Harvey

Nakian Jackson

Cole Keller

Patrick Rea

Michael Scott

Morgan Suarez

Braeden Wisloski

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Scoreboard

Calendar

Completed Event: Football versus Liberty on September 5, 2026 , Win , 20, to, 13

Completed Event: Football versus Wagner on September 12, 2026 , Win , 87, to, 3

Completed Event: Football at San Diego State on September 19, 2026 , Win , 26, to, 13

Upcoming Event: Football at Old Dominion on September 26, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Marshall on October 3, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football at Georgia Southern on October 10, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus Georgia State on October 17, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football at App State on October 22, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Troy on October 29, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football at Southern Miss on November 5, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)

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