James Madison made history in 2025, becoming the first-ever Sun Belt team to qualify for the College Football Playoff. But success came with a cost in the offseason. Head coach Bob Chesney left for UCLA, as did some of the Dukes’ top players including running back Wayne Knight and defensive end Sahir West. Starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III wound up at UCF.
James Madison lost a bulk of the coaching staff and all but three primary starters from its CFP team. But the program is accustomed to handling
adversity of this nature, not missing a beat when Curt Cignetti handed the reins to Bob Chesney two years ago.
Signs of a similar baton pass were evident Saturday when JMU defeated Liberty, 20-13, in head coach Billy Napier’s debut.
James Madison fielded the nation’s fifth-ranked total defense in 2025, and that was the team’s calling card in the 2026 opener. Liberty was held completely out of the end zone until 10 minutes remained in the contest, thanks to the Dukes’ ability to stonewall the run game.
Liberty’s spread option attack ranked top-4 nationally in rushing in two of three seasons under head coach Jamey Chadwell. But through 38 attempts against JMU, the Dukes produced just 91 rushing yards, calculating to 2.4 per carry. They never broke off a big one, with the longest run of the day measuring to 10 yards.
The Flames’ rushing attack didn’t feature significant quarterback production, as starter Deshawn Purdie — revealed hours before kickoff — mustered up three yards on seven attempts.
The Dukes similarly kept their quarterback situation a secret throughout the week. And despite the win, the situation wasn’t made any clearer after Saturday’s outcome. JC Evans earned the start and finished 7-of-9 passing for 61 yards while recording a game-high 69 yards as a runner. However, Camden Coleman checked in every few possessions and produced 57 passing yards on a 5-of-7 showing.
Although the coaching staff changed, the quarterback rotation was reminiscent of what JMU attempted in 2025 with Alonza Barnett and Matthew Sluka, before ultimately sticking with Barnett full-time.
Neither quarterback was on the field much, considering Liberty’s run-oriented offense consumed over 37 minutes of possession. But James Madison was efficient with its opportunities and scored on each of its first four series, alternating between touchdowns and field goals. The Dukes punted on each of their four ensuing drives, but when they needed first downs to seal the game at the end, the offense delivered. Evans and returning running back George Pettaway were instrumental in securing the non-conference victory, which pitted the reigning Sun Belt champion against a popular Conference USA champion pick.
James Madison defeated Liberty for the second-straight year and improved to 4-0 against Conference USA opponents since joining the FBS in 2022. Napier and the Dukes remain in Harrisonburg to face FCS program Wagner. Meanwhile, the Flames have now dropped five consecutive games — all by one score. Chadwell’s team also prepares for FCS competition next week when it hosts Gardner-Webb for the home opener.
