James Madison outduels Liberty in Napier’s debut, 20-13

In their inaugural season with head coach Billy Napier, the James Madison Dukes secured a hard-fought 20-13 victory over Liberty Flames at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This marked the first time a Sun Belt team had qualified for the College Football Playoff. James Madison's success came with a cost as head coach Bob Chesney, and several top players like running back Wayne Knight and defensive end Sahir West, moved on to other programs.

However, the Dukes demonstrated their resilience, led by Napier, who guided them to a win against Conference USA champion Liberty.

The Dukes' defense, ranked fifth nationally, proved to be a key factor in the game. Liberty's powerful run game, which had ranked in the top-4 nationally over the past two seasons, struggled mightily against JMU's defensive line. Liberty's rushing attack produced only 91 yards on 38 attempts, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry. Their top rusher, Deshawn Purdie, managed just three yards on seven attempts.

Meanwhile, the Dukes' quarterbacks kept their identities under wraps throughout the week, adding to the intrigue of the game.

James Madison's quarterback situation echoed the 2025 season, with Alonza Barnett III and Matthew Sluka sharing the duties before settling on Barnett full-time. Neither quarterback saw much action as Liberty's run-heavy offense dominated the clock, consuming over 37 minutes of possession. However, when the Dukes needed to secure first downs in crucial situations, their offense delivered.

Starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III and returning running back George Pettaway played pivotal roles in the victory, with Barnett completing 7-of-9 passes for 61 yards and 69 yards on the ground, and Pettaway chipping in 57 passing yards on 5-of-7 attempts.

The win marked James Madison's second consecutive victory over Liberty, improving their overall record against Conference USA opponents to 4-0 since joining the FBS in 2022. Despite the win, the Flames now face a daunting task, having dropped five consecutive games, all by just one score. James Madison remains in Harrisonburg to face FCS opponent Wagner, while Liberty prepares for their FCS competition next week against Gardner-Webb.