The James Madison University (JMU) Dukes Football team have been ranked #25 in the newest Associated Press poll. This is a milestone for the Dukes football program, as it is their first season in the Sun Belt after moving from the Colonial Athletic Association. This is the Dukes first season in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) play, and the best start any team has had in their first season of FBS play since Georgia Southern in 2014, who also joined the Sun Belt in their inaugural FBS season. The Bulldogs went 9-3 that year. The Dukes are currently 5-0, with wins over Middle Tennessee, Norfolk State, Appalachian State (App. State), Texas State, and Arkansas State.
The Dukes were a powerhouse in the CAA, winning seven conference championships from 2007-2021, and winning two national championships in 2004 and 2016. The move had been long speculated, with some still speculating that they may even move to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 15-20 years. The Dukes have slowly begun to turn Harrisonburg into a football town. Part of the reason EMU should consider fielding a football program is the massive success football has had for the Dukes in terms of bringing in students and profit.
In the win against App. State, the Dukes came back down 28-3, a familiar number to Atlanta Falcons fans. The Dukes scored 29 unanswered points in a 32-28 win over a team that had beaten #6 Texas A&M earlier in the season. The rest of the season holds a favorable schedule for the Dukes who have success in both the air and on the ground.
Quarterback Todd Centeio has thrown for 1,312 yards, with 15 touchdowns to one interception, with a 66% completion percentage. Centeio also has 289 yards rushing with two touchdowns on the ground. Runningback Percy Agyei-Obese is the teams leading rusher, with 354 yards and four touchdowns. The Dukes as a team have 1,069 yards rushing, with 13 total touchdowns. Kris Thorton has been the best receiver for the Dukes. Thornton has 32 receptions for 516 yards and five touchdowns.
The Dukes have been averaging 44 points per game, which is 6th in the country, behind schools like Alabama and Ohio State. The Dukes are also 16th in total yards per game. The Dukes defense has allowed 15 points per game on the season, which is 14th in the nation. The Dukes will look to continue their early success throughout the season. However, due to it being their first season in the Sun Belt, the Dukes are ineligible to compete for the Sun Belt title or play in a bowl game, as the National Collegiate Athletic Association requires a two-year transition period to fully be given FBS status. Meaning the Dukes could finish the season undefeated, but would be sitting on the couch come February despite that. With their early success in the FBS, Harrisonburg will continue to develop into a football town.
