Dukes Trek to Huntington Saturday for Key Sun Belt Battle at Marshall

Saturday, November 8

Huntington, W.Va.

Noon

James Madison University

Marshall

Dukes Trek to Huntington Saturday for Key Sun Belt Battle at Marshall

11/4/2025 3:30:00 PM | Football

Watch on ESPN2 Listen on JMU Radio Network Game Notes

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison stays out on the road for the second straight game, as it travels to Huntington, W.V., to battle Marshall in a key Sun Belt Conference matchup on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Kickoff is set for a noon start at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

The game will serve as JMU's sixth nationally televised game of the year.

The 2025 JMU football season is presented by CarMax.

James Madison (7-1, 5-0 SBC) at Marshall (4-4, 2-2 SBC)
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
Huntington, W.V. | Joan C. Edwards Stadium

Game Information
TV: ESPN2
Online: Watch ESPN (subscription required)
Radio: WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network
Live Stats
Game Notes

BREAKING DOWN THE SERIES

Saturday will be the sixth meeting all-time between the teams, as the Thundering Herd leads the series, 4-1.Marshall is 2-1 in Huntington, while the Herd has claimed both meetings in Harrisonburg.
Last season on Nov. 30, 2024, Marshall rallied from a 17-point deficit to clinch the Sun Belt East Division with a 35-33 double overtime victory at JMU.
Since both squads joined the Sun Belt in 2022, the road team has won all three meetings.
JMU claimed its first win over Marshall on Oct. 19, 2023, in a 20-9 triumph in Huntington. The Herd won the inaugural Sun Belt bout in 2022 by a 26-12 score.
Prior to JMU's FBS era, the teams met twice in Huntington in the Division I-AA playoffs, with Marshall taking both contests in 1987 and 1994.Of the five matchups, two have been decided in overtime.

SCARY DEFENSE IN OCTOBER

James Madison's defense was unstoppable in the second half during the month of October, holding all four opponents without a single point over the final 30 minutes each game.
JMU, which owns a six-game win streak, outscored its Sun Belt opponents 90-0 in the second half, rallying in two, while earning 30+ point wins in the other two.
JMU out-gained its October foes in the second half by an 862-228 margin, averaging 57 yards of total defense in those latter halves. Those teams also combined for just 46 second-half rushing yards (11.5 per game).
Since allowing 14 points in week two to Louisville, JMU's defense has allowed just 10 second-half points during the six-game win streak, and no team has scored in the fourth quarter since that same game.
Entering the week, JMU's defense ranks as one of the nation's best, at eight in total defense (251.4) and 11th in scoring defense (16.1). The Dukes are second in first downs allowed (13.25) and fifth against the run (80.3).

TOP 10 RUN OFFENSE AND DEFENSE

Following week 10 of the college football season,JMU continues to rank top 10 in the FBS in both rushing offense and rushing defense.
As previously noted, JMU is fifth in run defense, at 80.3 yards per game, the offensive side of the ball continues to thrive as well.
Following the Texas State win, JMU is seventh in rushing offense, averaging 244.1 yards in the ground game.
In comparison, JMU out-gains its opponents on average by 163.9 rushing yards per game.
JMU is one of just two FBS teams to rank inside the top 10 in both categories, as Indiana is sixth in rushing offense and fifth in rushing defense.
The Dukes are also third nationally in run differential with its +163.9. They trail Navy, which runs a triple option (+191), and Indiana (+165.7).

JUST OUTSIDE THE TOP 25

After six straight victories, JMU sits just outside the national rankings entering the week.
The Dukes are the second team outside the AP Top 25, earning a season-high 53 votes.
In the US LBM Coaches Poll, JMU is third outside the top 25, gaining a season-best 44 votes from the nation's coaches.
JMU was previously ranked in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, ranking as high as #18 in the AP Top 25 on Nov. 12, 2023. That season, JMU spent seven weeks in the top 25.
JMU also has a Coaches Poll-best ranking of #21 on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, 2023, having been in the top 25 six times by the Coaches.

A TEXAS TUESDAY VICTORY

Playing in the program's first Tuesday game, JMU scored the final 24 points of the game while shutting down Texas State's offense down the stretch in 52-20 victory in San Marcos.
Alonza Barnett scored five touchdowns while accruing 362 yards of offense to pace the Dukes. He threw for 264 yards and a season-high four touchdowns while rushing for a game-best 98 yards and a score.
Nick DeGennaro registered his second straight game over the century mark and with multiple scores, making three catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
JMU out-gained TXST by a 511-352 margin, including 236-74 in the second, as JMU produced its fourth straight, second-half shutout.
The Dukes had three takeaways, all interceptions, while Trent Hendrick had 10 tackles and Andrew Taddeo made a pair of sacks.
JMU led 28-10 before 10 quick Bobcat points made it 28-20 at the break. JMU scored thrice in the third, taking advantage of back-to-back interceptions, to pull away.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR JMU?

JMU opens a two-game homestand following the Marshall trip, as it returns to Harrisonburg to host App State on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ and ESPN Unlimited.
This will be the 20th all-time meeting between the teams, with App State leading 14-5.
Since becoming conference mates in 2022, App is 2-1, which includes wins in each of the past two seasons.
JMU won its inaugural Sun Belt game in Boone, rallying from a 28-3 deficit for a 32-28 victory.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: ESPN2
Online: Watch ESPN (Subscription required)
Listen: Morris Insurance & Financial JMU Radio Network
On the radio – WSVA 92.1 FM/550 AM
Online: The Varsity Network

Broadcast Talent
ESPN+: Roy Philpott (pxp), Sam Acho (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)
Radio: Dave Riggert (pxp), Que Reid (analyst)