James Madison Overpowers Texas State in 52–20 Road Win
Texas State couldn’t keep pace with James Madison on October 28 in San Marcos, as the Dukes took control early and never let up, cruising to a 52–20 victory in Sun Belt Conference play.
From the opening drive, James Madison looked sharp and in rhythm. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III led two quick scoring series — first finding Nick DeGennaro for a six-yard touchdown, then setting up Jordan Fuller’s short rushing score — to put the Dukes ahead 14–0 in the first quarter.
Texas State showed flashes of life in the second. Freshman quarterback Brad Jackson hit receiver Mavin Anderson on a 14-yard strike for Anderson’s first touchdown of the season. Jackson added a rushing touchdown later in the quarter, and kicker Tyler Robles drilled a 36-yard field goal before halftime, trimming the deficit to 28–20.
But the second half belonged entirely to James Madison. Just minutes into the third quarter, Barnett connected again with DeGennaro on a 76-yard deep ball that broke the game open. Moments later, a Texas State turnover turned into another Dukes touchdown as their defense capitalized with a short field to make it 42–20.
From there, the Bobcats never recovered. The Dukes’ defense tightened, shutting out Texas State the rest of the way while adding two more scores to seal the dominant win. By the final whistle, JMU had rolled up over 500 yards of total offense compared to the Bobcats’ 352.
Barnett was the difference-maker all night, finishing with 264 yards and four touchdown passes while also rushing for 98 yards and another score. His command of the offense kept the Bobcats off balance throughout.
Jackson led Texas State with 230 passing yards and one touchdown, but his three interceptions proved costly. He added a rushing score, but the offense struggled to sustain drives after halftime.
On defense, Texas State’s Ryan Nolan led the team with seven tackles, while Jaden Rios picked off his first pass as a Bobcat. Still, the group couldn’t slow a balanced JMU attack that consistently stretched the field and punished missed assignments.
The loss dropped Texas State to 3–5 overall and winless in Sun Belt play. Meanwhile, James Madison extended its win streak to six games, improving to 7–1 overall and 5–0 in conference, solidifying its position atop the East division.
For Texas State, this one stings — a night that started with promise unraveled quickly under the pressure of JMU’s execution. With the schedule tightening, the Bobcats will need a fast turnaround to regain footing and finish the season on a stronger note.