That football game was magical, if you’re a JMU fan. If you’re a UNC fan, that result will make your blood boil.

Fortunately, we run a site about JMU, so our readers are plenty happy! And if you’re a JMU fan who lives under a rock, the Dukes beat UNC 70-50 on Saturday to grab another win over an ACC foe. Celebrate accordingly. 

The wacky win was filled with highlight reel plays for Bob Chesney’s Dukes. Here are some of the best.

Terrence Spence’s Pick 6

FINAL: JMU 70, UNC 50

The Dukes beat the tar out of UNC, improving to a perfect 3-0 and vaulting themselves firmly into College Football Playoff contention among G5 teams.

Huge win for the Dukes. pic.twitter.com/8iqvUpIMBJ

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 21, 2024

This one felt like it essentially sealed the game — technically it did, since UNC finished with 50 points — and it sent UNC fans to the exits at halftime. Terrence Spence played a game that would make Jimmy Moreland proud against the Tar Heels, snagging two interceptions and blocking a punt that was returned for a touchdown. More on that play later. 

On this particular play, UNC QB Jacolby Criswell was late throwing over the middle, and Spence made him pay. The Holy Cross transfer jumped the route perfectly, and took the ball back to the end zone for a score. 

The touchdown gave JMU a 51-23 lead going into halftime. The lead proved too much for UNC to overcome, as the Tar Heels never seriously threatened the lead in the second half. 

Alonza Barnett’s 69-Yard TD to Dollison

Halftime. Yes, halftime.

JMU leads UNC 53-21 in one of the craziest halves you’ll ever see. To recount:

– JMU forced four turnovers
– JMU blocked a punt for a TD
– JMU recovered an onside kick
– Alonza Barnett had 5 total TDs pic.twitter.com/02uE8VrGXD

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 21, 2024

Omarion Dollison is a big play specialist, and he delivered Saturday. 

After JMU quickly surrendered a 11-0 lead, Alonza Barnett got UNC’s defense to jump offsides. Knowing he had a free play, Barnett fired a deep ball to Dollison. 

The speedster ran under the PERFECT throw and scored. The play gave JMU its momentum back and seemingly helped Barnett settle into the game. He went on to finish with seven total TDs and well over 400 yards of total offense. 

The First-half Onside Kick

The special teams plays from JMU in this game have been absurd.

It’s hard to process all of the quality plays so far. One of the craziest games we’ve seen in a long, long time. pic.twitter.com/GOly9UvGAN

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 21, 2024

*Using our Will Ferrell in Old School voice* Bob Chesney, you’re crazy, man. 

The Dukes’ head coach had no intention of leaving Chapel Hill with anything other than a win. He dialed up an onside kick with JMU leading 18-14, and the Dukes recovered. The play led to another JMU touchdown. 

What a gutsy decision from Chesney, and great execution from the Dukes. The kick was powered at a UNC player, who couldn’t handle it. JMU quickly scooped up the ball.

A successful onside kick in the first quarter of a game is electric stuff. 

Spence’s Blocked Punt

This was an electric sequence from JMU. pic.twitter.com/GxMGfBOvjs

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 21, 2024

Another year, another JMU blocked punt TD against an ACC team. 

Spence got all of this ball, which was recovered by Jayden Mines and returned for a TD early in the win over UNC. Spence came close to blocking punts in Weeks 1 and 2, and he blocked six during his Holy Cross career. Well, he finally got No. 7.

Sun Belt teams will have to game plan around Spence’s punt-blocking ability. He’s a special teams menace.

Naturally, the Dukes faked an extra point after the TD, taking an 11-0 lead instead of just a 10-0 edge. Ladies and gentleman, that’s Bob Chesney. 

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications