CHARLOTTE, N.C. – James Madison football picked up its first win of the Bob Chesney era with a second-half shutout and scored 27 unanswered points to upend Charlotte 30-7 in the season opener on Saturday night at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Alonza Barnett III threw for two touchdowns in his second career start, guiding JMU back from a 7-3 deficit with three touchdown drives to bridge the halves. He finished the games 10-of-18 for 219 passing yards and two scores with an interception while also rushing for 89 yards.

Cam Ross was a factor both in the run and pass game, accruing 94 total yards, as he caught two passes for 53 receiving yards while also rushing for 41 yards, a career high. Omarion Dollison made two catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, while George Pettaway tallied 58 total yards with 25 rushing and a 33-yard touchdown catch. Ayo Adeyi also found the endzone for his first JMU touchdown, as he added 41 rushing yards.

Defensively, Khairi Manns had eight tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Jacob Dobbs and Trent Hendrick each had 1.5 TFL and a sack, while Chauncey Logan made three pass breakups, with one leading to an interception by Chris Fitzgerald.

JMU out-gained Charlotte by a 417-324 margin, which included 198-131 on the ground.

Charlotte was paced by Max Brown, who threw for 193 yards and a touchdown, while Terron Kellman led the 49ers with 76 rushing yards.

HOW IT HAPPENED
JMU took advantage of a three-yard shanked punt by Charlotte, setting up a short field, and Noe Ruelas drilled a 43-yard field goal to put JMU up 3-0 after one.

After a strip sack, Charlotte got on the board with a 26-yard touchdown, as Max Brown connected over the middle with Isaiah Myers to give the hosts a 7-3 lead with just over eight minutes before halftime.

JMU regained the lead and took a 9-7 halftime lead after a wild two-play sequence late in the second. Logan batted a pass that was picked off by Fitzgerald for his first career interception. On the ensuing play, Barnett III connected down the far sideline for a 33-yard touchdown pass to Pettaway

The Dukes extended the lead to 16-7 on the second play of the third quarter, as Barnett III found Dollison deep for a 73-yard touchdown pass.

JMU opened the fourth capping off a 7-play drive, as Adeyi scampered into the endzone from eight yards out to make it 23-7.

Charlotte threatened at the other end, but a fourth-down stop stymied the 49er offense, giving JMU the ball back with nine minutes to play.

The Dukes forced another turnover over on downs later in the frame and turned the stop into points with a one-yard touchdown from Pettaway.

GAME NOTES
JMU improved to 3-0 all-time against Charlotte and remained unbeaten against American Athletic Conference teams, moving to 3-0 as well.

On third downs, the Dukes went 3-for-11 (.273) while the 49ers converted on 7-of-19 (.368) opportunities.

Charlotte recorded more tackles for loss (10-6) with JMU held the advantage in sacks (2-1).
The 73-yard touchdown from Barnett III to Dollison was the longest play of both players’ careers.

JMU’s interceptions by Justin Eaglin and Fitzgerald were the first career picks for each defender.

The Dukes have won five consecutive season openers. The last time JMU fell in its first game of the season was a 20-13 loss at West Virginia on Aug. 31, 2019, when the Dukes competed at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level.

UP NEXT
JMU opens its home slate on Saturday, Sept. 7 when it hosts Gardner-Webb. Kickoff at Bridgeforth Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

— JMU Athletics —