JMU would love to erase Saturday’s performance against Georgia Southern with a blowout win over Southern Miss. Before we get there, however, let’s issue our weekly JMU football report card.

In a story that’s becoming all too common, JMU’s defense made game-altering plays, while the offense floundered. It was a tough showing for the Dukes (5-2, 1-2 SBC), who lost 28-14.

Offense

Woof. This was not a good game for JMU’s offense, which was held under 300 yards and scored just seven points.

Alonza Barnett had probably his worst game of the season at quarterback, completing just over 50% of his passes and being held under 200 passing yards despite throwing the ball 41 times. He was sacked six times, a combination of him holding the ball too long, receivers not getting open, and the pass protection not holding up. Barnett finished with a PFF grade of 46.5, by far his worst of 2024.

While Barnett struggled, he’s still only thrown one interception on the season. He’s done well to protect the football, and he’s shown an ability to create explosive plays. He’ll need to be more consistent to take his game to another level, but the talent is there and his season-long PFF grade of 76.7 is well above average. He’s only a redshirt sophomore, and this is his first season in offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy’s scheme. It’s also Kennedy’s first year as an FBS coordinator. He’s inexperienced and learning on the fly, too.
Saturday was bad, but it doesn’t make Barnett bad. He can bounce back the rest of the season.

To bounce back, JMU needs to figure out how to handle blitzes and pressures or the rest of the season could be a struggle on this side of the ball. The blueprint for slowing down JMU’s offense is clear: Send pressure. Barnett has a PFF grade of 85.1 when he has a clean pocket. That number plummets to 36.9 when he faces pressure. Can Kennedy and company come up with a plan to beat pressure? The answer to that question will define JMU’s final five games.

PFF MVP (minimum 10 snaps): RB Wayne Knight, 68.9

Grade: D

Defense

Giving up over 400 yards and nearly 200 rushing yards to an offense that had struggled to run the ball isn’t ideal. The four forced turnovers, however, were more than enough for JMU to win.

It would have been nice for JMU fans if the JMU defense played a flawless game. The Dukes could’ve forced Georgia Southern off the field instead of allowing a couple of lengthy scoring drives. JMU could’ve forced a few more third-down stops. There were missed opportunities.

But there were also FOUR forced turnovers. The Dukes even returned one of their three INTs for a TD, as DJ Barksdale made a fantastic individual play. Jacob Thomas once again looked great at safety, recording an interception. Immanuel Bush made an athletic interception from the DT spot. LB Jacob Dobbs had 17 tackles, his most as a Duke. The defense played more than well enough Saturday.

PICK. SIX.

DJ jumps the route, and we're back in it! JMU now with FOUR pick-sixes this season.#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/KmYU3uaAn2

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) October 19, 2024

It’s on the offense to not force the defense to play perfectly. The Dukes’ defense is not to blame for either of the team’s two losses.

PFF MVP: DJ Barksdale, 84.4

Grade: B

Special teams

Ryan Hanson was solid, showing why he’s viewed as one of the best punters in the country. Three of his five punts were downed inside the 20, and he booted a 66-yarder in this game.

Max Lipinksi missed his lone FG attempt of the game, hitting the left upright from 42 yards. The freshman was filling in for the injured Noe Ruelas. The return game didn’t do anything special.

Grade: C

Coaching

The offensive play calling and strategy remained perplexing. The Dukes seemingly have no answers for pressure. Where are the quick-hitting passes and screens? Why aren’t the protections correct? Why do the Dukes abandon the running game so quickly?

While presnap penalties fall on the players, they also fall on the coaches. JMU needs to figure something out to eliminate false starts because the current practice plan isn’t translating to game days.

JMU’s inconsistency falls partially on the coaching staff. It’s one thing to lose to a division rival in an important game. It’s another thing to go down 21-0 at halftime and never cut the deficit to single digits. The Dukes got their butt kicked. That falls on the coaching staff, especially given that JMU has looked incredible at times this year. Bob Chesney and company need to find ways to bring the best out of the Dukes more regularly.

Grade: D

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications