Offense Outlasts Defense, 40-38, in 2025 Spring Football Game

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Compete has been a staple for James Madison football since the arrival of Head Coach Bob Chesney and the three compete periods proved to be the difference in Saturday's Spring Game, as the Offense snuck past the Defense, 40-38, at Bridgeforth Stadium.

In a game decided by just two points, the offense won two of three compete periods, worth five points apiece.

The Spring Game featured three touchdowns and three made field goals for the offense, which wore white jerseys.

The defense, which donned the home purple jerseys, took an early lead thanks in large to three first-quarter sacks. The defense finished with seven sacks, a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions and two three-and-outs.

Scoring Summary
First Quarter

Sack – Defense 2, Offense 0
Sack – Defense 4, Offense 0
Forced Punt – Defense 5, Offense 0
Sack – Defense 7, Offense 0
Turnover on Downs – Defense 8, Offense 0
Compete #1 (Redzone) – Offense wins 5-4 – Defense 8, Offense 5

Second Quarter

Noe Ruelas 51-yard field goal – Offense 8, Defense 8
Noe Ruelas 46-yard field goal – Offense 11, Defense 8
Jackson McCarter 17-yard touchdown rush (Ruelas PAT) – Offense 18, Defense 8
Noe Ruelas 34-yard field goal – Offense 21, Defense 8
Compete #2 (Big Man Punt) – Cole Webster wins 7-6 in OT – Offense 21, Defense 13

Third Quarter

Sack – Offense 21, Defense 15
Blake Kendall 2-yard touchdown rush (Cristiano Rosa PAT) – Offense 28, Defense 15
Three-and-Out – Offense 28, Defense 18
Sack – Offense 28, Defense 20
Fourth-Down Stop – Offense 28, Defense 21
Compete #3 (OL vs. DL) – Offense wins 5-3 – Offense 33, Defense 21

Fourth Quarter

Camden Coleman 12-yard touchdown pass to Jackson McCarter (Rosa PAT) – Offense 40, Defense 21
Justin Eaglin Interception – Offense 40, Defense 26
Sack – Offense 40, Defense 28
Three-and-Out – Offense 40, Defense 31
Sack – Offense 40, Defense 33
Brandon Fique Interception – Offense 40, Defense 38

The Spring Game concluded JMU's spring practice, as the team looks forward to summer workouts in preparation of the 2025 season. JMU opens next season on Saturday, Aug. 30 versus Weber State.

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