JMU (2-0) is beating UNC (3-0) 53-21 at the end of the first half.
Here are three takeaways from the first half action:
Fast start for Dukes and Barnett
This season, JMU has struggled to put up points in the first half, let alone early on in the first quarter. But the Dukes scored 25 points in the first quarter — the third most they’ve scored in a first quarter.
The offense had a slow start as redshirt sophomore quarterback Alonza Barnett III started 1-of-6 passing, and the Dukes had two punts by the 6:06 mark. At this point, JMU’s only points were from a field goal and touchdown on a blocked punt.
But in the quarter’s last four minutes, Barnett had two passes for 50 yards or more. The first pass was a 69-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Omarion Dollison. The next offensive drive Barnett completed a pass for exactly 50 yards — Dollison was on the receiving end once again. This big play set Barnett up to run in for a three-yard touchdown.
JMU didn’t slow down in the second quarter. Its first drive of the quarter lasted 4:13 and ended in Barnett throwing a six yard touchdown — his third with 10:20 still left to play in the half. JMU extended its lead to 39-21 at the 8:45 mark with a Barnett touchdown pass to senior tight end Taylor Thompson. The touchdown gave the Dukes its highest scoring performance against a Power-4 school, topping its 36 against U.Va. last season.
Barnett finished with five total touchdowns in the first half, and JMU went into the half up 53-21.
Heading into UNC, the Dukes averaged 4.5 total first half points through two games.
Special teams, special players and special plays
JMU head coach Bob Chesney showed confidence in his kicker after the Dukes opened the scoring with a 50-yard field goal by redshirt junior Noe Ruelas. That kick set the tone for a crowd-silencing blocked punt by senior cornerback Terrence Spence, which was recovered by redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jayden Mines who ran into the end zone.
Immediately after, the Dukes converted on a two-point conversion trick-play from Ruelas who threw a two-yard pass to redshirt freshman long snapper Jack Mowrey.
That put the Dukes up 11-0 and after they responded from consecutive Tar Heel touchdowns with a 69-yard touchdown pass to Dollison that they converted on a bold onside kick.
Ruelas executed the onside to perfection and gave the Dukes momentum — setting up a five-play 61-yard drive that ended in a three-yard rushing touchdown from Barnett. Redshirt senior punter Ryan Hanson also had three punts for 143 yards, including a punt that was downed at UNC’s eight-yard line.
Kennedy shows play-calling prowess
JMU’s offense struggled two weeks ago against FCS opponent Gardner-Webb and put up only 13 points. In the first half against the Tar Heels, the Dukes put up 53 points — the highest-scoring first half JMU has had in program history
One thing different about this game — offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy is on the sideline for JMU for the first time this season instead of up in the booth. Kennedy showed all the tricks he had up his sleeves, whether it be flea flickers or putting multiple players in motion.
Barnett started the game 1-of-6 and only threw two incompletions for the rest of the half, finishing the half 14-of-21.
Kennedy helped playmakers on offense get open for Barnett. Thompson was wide-open in the end zone for his touchdown reception, and redshirt senior running back Tyler Purdy caught a ball with a lot of space in front of him to gain 19 yards.
Contact Preston Comer and Hayden Hundley at breezesports@gmail.com. For more football coverage, follow the sports desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.
