Barnett III, Spence Honored as Sun Belt Players of the Week

NEW ORLEANS – James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III has been voted Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while cornerback Terrence Spence was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

This is first career weekly award for Barnett III, while it's the second special teams honor for Spence, who earned the same distinction from the Patriot League on March 29, 2021 while at Holy Cross.

Barnett III produced a JMU single-game record seven touchdowns and recorded career highs in every statistical category to lead JMU to a 70-50 win at North Carolina. He finished the game 22-of-34 for 388 passing yards and five touchdowns while rushing 13 times for 99 yards (7.6 avg) and two scores. His 487 total yards ranked third in JMU single-game history, while his 388 passing total was tied for seventh.

Spence was heavily involved both defensively and on special teams, as he recorded four tackles with two interceptions, which included a 33-yard pick six. His pick six gave JMU a 53-21 lead, which set a JMU single-half scoring record. He also got in untouched and blocked a first-quarter punt, which resulted in a Jayden Mines return for a touchdown. It was Spence's first block at JMU and the seventh of his career, having had six at Holy Cross.

In the win at UNC, JMU recorded their most points in a game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. It nearly doubled the previous record of points scored against an autonomy five team, besting the 36 they scored at Virginia last season.

In addition to the single-half school-record 53 points in the first half, the 70 total points scored set a Kenan Stadium record for a road team and was tied for the most points UNC had ever given up. Additionally, it was the most points scored by a Group of Five opponent on the road at a power-conference program.

Barnett III, Spence and the Dukes return to action on Saturday, Sept. 28 when they host Ball State for Homecoming in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff from Bridgeforth Stadium.

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