#23 JMU Overpowers Georgia State to Move to 9-0

Saturday, November 4

Atlanta, Ga.

3:30 p.m.

James Madison University

9-0 , 6-0

Georgia State

6-3 , 3-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

James Madison

Georgia St.

11/4/2023 7:45:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

ATLANTA – Jordan McCloud accounted for over 400 yards and six total touchdowns, and #23 James Madison remained unbeaten with a decisive 42-14 Sun Belt Conference football win at Georgia State on Saturday afternoon at Center Parc Stadium.

The Dukes moved to 9-0 on the year and 6-0 in Sun Belt play, while the Panthers fell to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in league games. The win was also the 50th win at JMU for Head Coach Curt Cignetti.

The victory was also JMU's eighth against an FBS foe this season, matching Georgia Southern's 2014 record of most FBS wins in a season by a transitioning team.

JMU led just 14-7 at the half but put together four straight touchdown drives to open the second half to take control.

Jordan McCloud finished 28-of-36 for 307 passing yards and four touchdowns with an interception. He also found the endzone twice in the run game, adding a team- and career-high 104 rushing yards on 13 carries (8.0 avg.). He's the first JMU quarterback with over 100 rushing yards in a single game since Todd Centeio's 110 against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 3, 2022.

Ty Son Lawton accumulated his first 100-yard all-purpose game with the Dukes, running for a season-best 95 yards and hauling in career highs of six catches and 57 receiving yards with a score.

Through the air, Elijah Sarratt had another big game, leading the squad with eight catches for 87 receiving yards. Zach Horton had a career-high six catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns, while Phoenix Sproles added three grabs for 56 yards.

JMU's effectiveness against the pass and on third down allowed the Dukes' offense to seize control. The defense was paced by Jailin Walker, who had seven tackles with a tackle for loss. Jamree Kromah had 3.5 TFL while Mikail Kamara added 1.5 TFL and a sack.

For Georgia State, Darren Grainger threw for just 82 passing yards, but was most effective on the ground, rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a stop on the opening drive, JMU needed just four plays, as a McCloud 32-yard pass to Phoenix Sproles set up a 19-yard strike in the back of the endzone for Hudson on the ensuing play.
GSU answered, converting a fourth down for a 30-yard touchdown run by Grainger to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first.
Just before halftime, McCloud scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the year on a five-yard keeper, giving JMU a 14-7 lead at the break.
JMU opened the second half with an 11-play, 75-yard drive, converting twice on third down, as McCloud found a wide-open Lawton for an 11-yard TD pass to give the Dukes a 21-7 lead six minutes into the third.
After a three-and-out, McCloud drove the Dukes downfield again, finding Horton in the flats for an 11-yard touchdown.
JMU's 21-point lead would only last 42 seconds, as GSU trimmed it to 28-14 with 2:43 to go in the third on a 58-yard Grainger touchdown rush.
JMU regained the three-score lead early in the fourth, as Lawton and McCloud ran their way to the goal line, where McCloud scampered in from a yard out for his second rushing TD of the day.
The Dukes sealed the deal through the air with a three-yard touchdown reception from Horton to make it 42-14 with 7:41 remaining.

GAME NOTES

JMU improved to 3-0 all-time against Georgia State, picking up its first win in Atlanta.
The Dukes out-gained GSU, 567-228, including 307-82 in the pass game.
JMU was 9-of-13 (.692) on third down while holding the Panthers to 3-of-12 (.250).
In the red zone, JMU scored on six out of seven trips, while GSU was 0-of-1.
Time of possession favored JMU dominantly by a 42:26 to 17:34 margin.
McCloud was responsible for six touchdowns while celebrating his 24th birthday.
With his four passing scores, McCloud moved into a tie for seventh in JMU single-season history with 22. He matched Michael Birdsong (2013).
Lawton's third-quarter touchdown was his first receiving score with JMU and just the second of his career.

UP NEXT
JMU returns to Harrisonburg on Saturday, Nov. 11 when it hosts UConn at Bridgeforth Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.