In a clash that lived up to the hype of a top-ranked team facing its toughest test, the No. 25 James Madison Dukes leaned heavily on their defense to secure a hard-fought 30-27 victory over Old Dominion. With their offense sputtering in the crucial moments, the Dukes extended their winning streak to 11 games, showcasing resilience and determination in a nail-biting contest on Saturday night.
Quarterback Jordan McCloud played a pivotal role, throwing for three touchdowns and adding another on the ground. McCloud's connection with receivers Reggie Brown and Elijah Sarratt kept the Dukes ahead, but it was the defense that sealed the win.
Dukes coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged the offensive struggles in the fourth quarter, stating, “We didn’t get much done on offense in the fourth quarter, and the defense really rose to the occasion. They were whipping them up front, and that was the key at the end. We relied on our defense, and they got it done.”
McCloud's early efforts set the tone, connecting with Brown for two long touchdowns and finding Sarratt for another. Despite leading 30-17, the Dukes found themselves in a tight spot as Old Dominion's running game gained momentum.
Old Dominion managed to break James Madison's 10-game streak of holding opponents to fewer than 100 net rushing yards, finishing with 138 on 42 attempts. Monarchs quarterback Grant Wilson orchestrated a late-game push, putting the Dukes' defense to the test.
Facing a first-and-goal from the Dukes' 4-yard line, the Monarchs fell short, settling for a field goal. Monarchs coach Ricky Rahne expressed the disappointment but emphasized the need to use the pain as fuel, stating, “It should hurt.”
The Dukes, now 8-0 with a 5-0 record in the Sun Belt, narrowly avoided a repeat of last season's setback after entering the AP poll at No. 25. The defense stood tall in crucial moments, denying Old Dominion's attempts to snatch victory from their grasp.
Old Dominion's attempt to speed up the offense proved effective at times, but James Madison's defense, which led the nation with an average of 4.86 sacks, applied relentless pressure. Quarterback Grant Wilson faced challenges when forced to be more deliberate.
The Dukes, who entered the game as the country's leading rushing defense, demonstrated their dominance early. However, Old Dominion found success with consecutive scoring drives in the third quarter, breaking through the Dukes' formidable defense.
In the end, the Dukes' defense held firm, denying Old Dominion on a critical 4th-and-11 play in the closing minutes. The victory, hard-earned and well-deserved, reaffirms James Madison's status as a force to be reckoned with as they navigate the challenges of a demanding season.
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