BOONE, N.C. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison suffered its first loss of the 2026 campaign on Thursday night at App State, falling 34-31 in overtime.
The Dukes (7-1, 4-1 Sun Belt) tied the game on a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Camden Coleman with three seconds left in regulation but allowed an App State game-winning field goal in the extra frame in front of a sold-out crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
JMU outgained the Mountaineers, 423-366, but was outscored, 24-17, after halftime.
The Dukes took the ball and scored on their first offensive possession for the sixth time in eight games, going eight plays for 75 yards in 3:27. JMU marched down the field and converted on a fourth-down in the red zone, leading to a 1-yard plunge into the end zone by running back George Pettaway.
Those would be the only points of the opening frame. JMU’s defense forced the Mountaineers into punts on their first four possession of the night, before the hosts got on the board with a 48-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
JMU hit a big play at the 4:48 mark before halftime to extend its lead. Quarterback JC Evans connected with wide receiver Braeden Wisloski for a 70-yard score to make it 14-3.
But App State (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) answered at the end of the half, producing a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was finished with Alexander Sanchez’s 19-yard touchdown reception.
Still, JMU led, 14-10, at halftime.
The Mountaineers cut their deficit to just one point with a field goal to open the second half. That led to another JMU touchdown drive to bump the lead back to 21-13 with 2:38 to play in the third, as Coleman found tight end Cole Keller for a 19-yard score.
In the fourth, App State tied the game with 13:15 to play on Chris Lofton’s 5-yard touchdown reception and a successful two-point conversion.
Then, kicker Morgan Suarez helped the Dukes retake the lead with a 47-yard field goal with 9:19 to go. It matched his career high and put the visitors up, 24-21.
From there, the Mountaineers scored 10 straight points to take a 31-24 lead with 5:52 to go. First, App State tied the game on a 36-yard field goal, before it took the lead with a short touchdown following a JMU interception.
But the Dukes orchestrated a late rally, tying the game in the closing seconds. Coleman’s score capped a clutch, 15-play, 71-yard drive to keep JMU alive.
However, JMU hit the upright on a field goal attempt in overtime, moments before the Mountaineers ended it with James London’s 40-yarder.
Coleman finished 22-of-39 for 232 yards and a touchdown through the air, to go along with 11 yards and a score with his legs. Evans added 99 passing yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Harrison led the way in the receiving game with six catches for 59 yards, while Wisloski caught two passes for 84 yards and the score.
Linebackers Nakian Jackson and JT Hooten and safety Seth Gathers each had nine tackles to lead the defense. Edge Turner Schmidt added two sacks.
Punter Patrick Rea punted seven times for a long of 56. In all, he booted two of 50-plus yards and placed two inside the App State 20-yard line.
Following Thursday’s game, the Dukes fell to 6-15 against App State.
Up next, JMU returns home to take on Troy on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Bridgeforth Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, on the JMU Radio Network.
— JMU Athletics —
