Charlotte, NC
Aug 31, 2024
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The James Madison Dukes steamrolled the Charlotte 49ers with a resounding 30-7 victory in the season opener on Saturday night at Jerry Richardson Stadium. The game started with both teams trading advantages, but it was the Dukes' exceptional second-half performance that clinched the win.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III spearheaded the offensive onslaught, completing 10 of 18 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, while amassing 89 rushing yards. His efforts were complemented by tremendous plays from key offensive contributors, sealing their dominance in the second half and leaving the Charlotte defense struggling to keep up. Notably, wide receivers George Pettaway and Omarion Dollison delivered crucial touchdowns, showcasing the team's depth and versatility.
Defensively, the Dukes were relentless, causing turnovers and shutting down Charlotte's offensive efforts in the second half. The turning point came when Justin Eaglin intercepted a pass, setting up Barnett’s impressive touchdown pass to Pettaway. The scoring frenzy continued with Dollison's 73-yard touchdown reception and Ayo Adeyi's rushing touchdown, cementing the Dukes' lead.
Noe Ruelas (James Madison Dukes)
Noe Ruelas nailed a 43-yard field goal, setting the tone for the game with an early 3-0 lead for the Dukes.
Max Brown (Charlotte 49ers)
Max Brown connected with Isaiah Myers for a 26-yard touchdown pass, briefly giving the 49ers a 7-3 lead.
Alonza Barnett III (James Madison Dukes)
Replied swiftly with a stunning 33-yard touchdown pass to George Pettaway, putting the Dukes back on top 9-7 just before halftime.
Omarion Dollison (James Madison Dukes)
Caught a 73-yard touchdown pass mere seconds into the third quarter, extending the Dukes' lead to 16-7.
Ayo Adeyi (James Madison Dukes)
Found the end zone on an 8-yard rush, boosting the advantage to 23-7 early in the final quarter.
George Pettaway (James Madison Dukes)
Punctuated the scoring surge with a 1-yard touchdown plunge, putting the final nail in the coffin at 30-7.
Justin Eaglin (James Madison Dukes)
Intercepted a pass from Max Brown, halting a strong Charlotte drive and swinging momentum back towards the Dukes.
Cam Ross (James Madison Dukes)
Barnett III converted a crucial fourth down with a 43-yard pass to Cam Ross, setting the tone for the Dukes' early offensive aggression.
Alonza Barnett III (James Madison Dukes, QB)
Orchestrated a masterful offensive display with 219 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 89 rushing yards, effectively dismantling the Charlotte defense.
Max Brown (Charlotte 49ers, QB)
Showed resilience under pressure by throwing for 193 yards and a touchdown despite facing relentless defensive pressure from the Dukes.
Omarion Dollison (James Madison Dukes, WR)
Electrified the crowd with a spectacular 73-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter, providing a critical momentum boost for the Dukes.
George Pettaway (James Madison Dukes, RB)
Versatile performance with a 33-yard touchdown reception and a 1-yard touchdown run, piling on the points in a decisive victory.
Justin Eaglin (James Madison Dukes, CB)
Dramatically shifted the game’s momentum with a crucial interception that thwarted a promising Charlotte drive, illustrating his defensive prowess.
Terron Kellman (Charlotte 49ers, RB)
Emerging as a key player for Charlotte, Kellman rushed for 76 yards, including a highlight-reel 41-yard run, showcasing his potential in a tough matchup.
Khairi Manns (James Madison Dukes, LB)
Anchored the Dukes' defense with eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and a forced fumble, proving instrumental in stifling Charlotte's offense.
James Madison Dukes vs. Charlotte 49ers - Final Score - August 31, 2024 | FOX Sports
JMU Football | Dukes Dominate in Season-Opening Win at Charlotte - YouTube
JMU Dominates Second Half in Season-Opening Win at Charlotte - James Madison University Athletics
James Madison Dukes vs. Charlotte 49ers Box Score and Stats - August 31, 2024 | FOX Sports
Three takeaways from JMU football's first half against Charlotte | Sports | breezejmu.org
Ranking JMU Football's 2024 Opponents By Difficulty
James Madison Dukes
3
6
7
14
30
Charlotte 49ers
0
7
0
0
7
