James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Saturday, September 12
Harrisonburg, Va.
3:30 p.m.
James Madison University
vs
Wagner
Dukes Prep for Second Straight Home Game vs. Wagner
9/8/2026 2:44:00 PM | Football
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Following a season-opening victory against Liberty in the Battle of the Blue Ridge, James Madison turns its attention to a matchup with Wagner on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Bridgeforth Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
The Dukes (1-0) are coming off a 20-13 win over Liberty in last weekend's season opener. JMU scored on its first four possessions of the game, while the defense held late to secure the victory.
The win pushed JMU's win streak in home openers to 24 games, dating back to 2003.
Running back George Pettaway (7-yard rush) and wide receiver Corey Scott (5-yard catch) each found the end zone for the Dukes in the win, while running back Seth Cromwell logged a 51-yard rush, the longest play of the day.
Defensively, safety Jayon Harvey led the way with eight tackles, a forced fumble and critical pass breakup in the fourth quarter. In all, the Dukes' defense allowed just 91 yards rushing on 38 attempts, a 2.4-yard average, the lowest rushing output by the Flames since the 2022 season.
Wagner (1-1) is coming off a 31-7 win over Southern Connecticut State last weekend. The Seahawks opened the campaign with a 28-7 setback at Robert Morris in Week 0.
Wagner competes in the Northeast Conference of the FCS.
It's Heroes Day at Bridgeforth Stadium, which is presented by Urgie's Cheesesteaks. A limited amount of single-game tickets remain.
Saturday's game is sponsored by Pepsi, and the 2026 season is presented by CarMax.
BROADCAST INFO
Watch: ESPN+ (Curt Dudley – PXP, Brian Barlow – Analyst, David Hulvey – Sideline)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network (Dave Riggert – PXP, Isai Bradshaw & Cole Potts – Analysts)
Radio: WSVA 550 AM | 92.1 FM | Sirius XM Channel 990
Online: The Varsity Network
THE MATCHUP
James Madison and Wagner are set to meet for the first time on Saturday. The game is the first of two straight first-time opponents for the Dukes, who will travel to San Diego State next week for their first-ever meeting with the Aztecs.
JMU is 4-0 against FCS opponents since joining the FBS ranks in 2022. All four victories have come at Bridgeforth Stadium.
Saturday also marks the first time the Dukes open a season with back-to-back home games since 2022.
SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS IN OPENERS
Thanks to last week's victory over Liberty, JMU has now won its season opener in seven consecutive seasons, dating back to 2020. In those games, the Dukes have allowed just 50 total points, an average of just 7.1 per contest.
The win also pushed JMU's all-time mark in season openers to 32-22-1.
Coach Billy Napier became the fifth coach to win his JMU head-coaching debut, joining Joe Purzycki (1985), Alex Wood (1995), Mike Houston (2016) and Bob Chesney (2024). In all, JMU coaches are 5-5 in debut games with the school.
IN THE POLLS
The Dukes received votes in the AP Poll following Week 1 action. JMU earned four points in the poll, up one point from its three points in the preseason poll.
JMU remains the lone Sun Belt Conference squad to have earned votes in the poll.
DEFENDING HOME TURF
In the past decade, JMU has done its part in taking care of business at Bridgeforth Stadium. Since 2016, the Dukes are 66-5 at home, which includes five unbeaten seasons in Harrisonburg.
The Dukes have won all 32 nonconference, home games in that time. JMU's last such loss came on Dec. 5, 2015, against Colgate in the FCS Playoffs.
Since joining the FBS, JMU owns a 23-3 mark at home, including 1-0 this season. The squad has won eight straight in Harrisonburg, most notably the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game last December.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's game against Wagner, the Dukes head on the road for the first time this season with a cross-country trip to San Diego State on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET, and can be seen on The CW.
The Dukes (1-0) are coming off a 20-13 win over Liberty in last weekend's season opener. JMU scored on its first four possessions of the game, while the defense held late to secure the victory.
The win pushed JMU's win streak in home openers to 24 games, dating back to 2003.
Running back George Pettaway (7-yard rush) and wide receiver Corey Scott (5-yard catch) each found the end zone for the Dukes in the win, while running back Seth Cromwell logged a 51-yard rush, the longest play of the day.
Defensively, safety Jayon Harvey led the way with eight tackles, a forced fumble and critical pass breakup in the fourth quarter. In all, the Dukes' defense allowed just 91 yards rushing on 38 attempts, a 2.4-yard average, the lowest rushing output by the Flames since the 2022 season.
Wagner (1-1) is coming off a 31-7 win over Southern Connecticut State last weekend. The Seahawks opened the campaign with a 28-7 setback at Robert Morris in Week 0.
Wagner competes in the Northeast Conference of the FCS.
It's Heroes Day at Bridgeforth Stadium, which is presented by Urgie's Cheesesteaks. A limited amount of single-game tickets remain.
Saturday's game is sponsored by Pepsi, and the 2026 season is presented by CarMax.
BROADCAST INFO
Watch: ESPN+ (Curt Dudley – PXP, Brian Barlow – Analyst, David Hulvey – Sideline)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network (Dave Riggert – PXP, Isai Bradshaw & Cole Potts – Analysts)
Radio: WSVA 550 AM | 92.1 FM | Sirius XM Channel 990
Online: The Varsity Network
THE MATCHUP
James Madison and Wagner are set to meet for the first time on Saturday. The game is the first of two straight first-time opponents for the Dukes, who will travel to San Diego State next week for their first-ever meeting with the Aztecs.
JMU is 4-0 against FCS opponents since joining the FBS ranks in 2022. All four victories have come at Bridgeforth Stadium.
Saturday also marks the first time the Dukes open a season with back-to-back home games since 2022.
SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS IN OPENERS
Thanks to last week's victory over Liberty, JMU has now won its season opener in seven consecutive seasons, dating back to 2020. In those games, the Dukes have allowed just 50 total points, an average of just 7.1 per contest.
The win also pushed JMU's all-time mark in season openers to 32-22-1.
Coach Billy Napier became the fifth coach to win his JMU head-coaching debut, joining Joe Purzycki (1985), Alex Wood (1995), Mike Houston (2016) and Bob Chesney (2024). In all, JMU coaches are 5-5 in debut games with the school.
IN THE POLLS
The Dukes received votes in the AP Poll following Week 1 action. JMU earned four points in the poll, up one point from its three points in the preseason poll.
JMU remains the lone Sun Belt Conference squad to have earned votes in the poll.
DEFENDING HOME TURF
In the past decade, JMU has done its part in taking care of business at Bridgeforth Stadium. Since 2016, the Dukes are 66-5 at home, which includes five unbeaten seasons in Harrisonburg.
The Dukes have won all 32 nonconference, home games in that time. JMU's last such loss came on Dec. 5, 2015, against Colgate in the FCS Playoffs.
Since joining the FBS, JMU owns a 23-3 mark at home, including 1-0 this season. The squad has won eight straight in Harrisonburg, most notably the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game last December.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's game against Wagner, the Dukes head on the road for the first time this season with a cross-country trip to San Diego State on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET, and can be seen on The CW.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 08
Tuesday, September 08
Monday, September 07
Monday, September 07
