Dukes Earn No. 3 Overall Seed for 2021 FCS Playoffs
11/21/2021 1:20:00 PM | Football
Share:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – James Madison earned the No. 3 overall seed for the 2021 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, the selection committee announced Sunday afternoon during the live selection show on ESPNU.
JMU received a first-round bye and will host the winner of Southeastern Louisiana (8-3) and Florida A&M (9-2) on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
The Dukes wrapped up the regular season with a 10-1 overall record and 7-1 mark in conference play to secure a share of the 2021 Colonial Athletic Association championship. It was JMU's third straight league title and its sixth over the past seven seasons.
This will be JMU's record eighth straight playoff berth and the 18th overall appearance. It's also the sixth time in seven seasons JMU will be a national seed.
Entering the postseason, JMU ranks top 10 nationally in 16 statistical categories, which includes leading the country in turnover margin (+1.55), passes intercepted (3), turnovers (7) and kickoff-return average (30.31).
The Dukes are also second in total defense (252.6), tackles for loss (8.7) and fourth-down defense (24.5%), fourth in both completion percentage (67.7%) and pass efficiency rating (167.60), fifth in scoring offense (39.5), sixth in both rushing defense (79.7) and takeaways (24), eighth in kick-return defense (15.48) and 10th in scoring defense (15.5), passing defense (172.9) and fumble recoveries (11).
The top-eight national seeds were #1 Sam Houston (10-0), #2 North Dakota State (10-1), #3 JMU (10-1), #4 Sacramento State (9-2), #5 Villanova (9-2), #6 Montana (9-2), #7 ETSU (10-1) and #8 Montana State (9-2).
JMU's run through the 2021 FCS Playoffs is presented by Excel Heating and Cooling.
Ticket Information for FCS Playoffs
Ticket orders for playoff games can be made at JMUTickets.com or by calling the JMU Athletics Ticket Office at 540-568-3853. Season-ticket holders will have the first right to their same seats if ordered by the priority deadline before each home game. Tickets will be delivered electronically and fans should plan to download or print their tickets in advance for scanning on game day. Click here for more information.
JMU Football | Billy Napier Post-Spring Football Media Availability - April 25, 2026JMU Football | Billy Napier Post-Spring Football Media Availability - April 25, 2026
Saturday, April 25
JMU Football | Kells Bush, TJ McGill, Jeremiah Harrison, and Corey ScottJMU Football | Kells Bush, TJ McGill, Jeremiah Harrison, and Corey Scott
Thursday, April 23
JMU Football | Jireh Wilson and Aaron Pflugrad Media Availability – Apr. 23, 2026JMU Football | Jireh Wilson and Aaron Pflugrad Media Availability – Apr. 23, 2026
Thursday, April 23
JMU Football | Deacon Rawls and DJ Kelly Media Availability - April 21, 2026JMU Football | Deacon Rawls and DJ Kelly Media Availability - April 21, 2026