JMU football (8-2, 4-2 SBC) beat ODU 35-32 on Saturday to keep its dream of winning the Sun Belt East alive. The Dukes looked respectable in all three phases, and despite making mistakes, found a way to beat a solid ODU squad.

Here are three takeaways from the win, which was JMU’s first road conference win of the season.

Great Win During a Great Season

You could spend all day picking nits with this team. The play calling isn’t perfect. The third-down success rate can leave plenty to be desired. The special teams unit has allowed two blocked punts this season, including a momentum-changing one against ODU. The performances on the road haven’t been good enough in league play.

Or, you can take a glass half-full view of this season.

JMU lost its head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, starting quarterback, top three receivers, the entire starting defensive line, its two best linebackers, and its best cornerback over the offseason. Between transfers and graduation, Bob Chesney inherited a proud program in need of a rebuild. And rebuild he did.

The Dukes are 8-2 with a chance to win the Sun Belt East — they need one more loss from Georgia Southern and wins against App State and Marshall — in late November. What more could you ask for in Year 1 of a new coach?

Yes, JMU is imperfect. Yes, the Dukes could be in the College Football Playoff conversation if they didn’t lose a sloppy game at ULM or if they turned a +4 turnover margin into a win at Georgia Southern. That’s all true, but most G5 programs would temporarily crumble given how much talent on the coaching staff and roster left for Indiana. The Hoosiers are on the verge of a College Football Playoff appearance with former Dukes leading the defense and several others contributing offensively.

JMU won a gritty game over an in-state rival to improve to 8-2. The Dukes played well as a team, withstanding an ODU run to close the game strong and pick up its 20th consecutive win over in-state opponents.

The Dukes aren’t a College Football Playoff team — Boise State and Tulane look a cut above this JMU team — but the Dukes are a very good G5 team with a bright future in 2024 and beyond. Chesney and company deserve credit not only for a nice win over an improving ODU program, but also grinding out eight wins in a 10-game stretch despite an insane offseason filled with notable departures.

The Knight Brothers Cooked

Wayne and Yamir Knight didn’t enter the season with a ton of buzz, but they’ll enter the 2024-25 offseason as two key pieces JMU hopes to retain. Yamir Knight caught eight passes for 121 yards and a touchdown Saturday, as he has emerged as the most reliable receiver on the roster as just a sophomore.

Wayne added 11 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown, causing me to wonder why he wasn’t in the running back rotation more consistently in October. Wayne has great speed and does well to make guys miss in tight spaces. He’s a quality back and does well to give George Pettaway a rest.

JMU’s offense could use those two as featured pieces in 2025.

As for the rest of this season, look for the Knight brothers to play a critical role in JMU’s run at the Sun Belt East. Those two need to keep coming up big for the Dukes to catch Georgia Southern in the standings.

Dominant Defensive Line

Man, that defensive line is good. JMU lost A TON in the offseason, especially on the defensive line. The unit hasn’t missed a beat with new position coach Sam Daniels.

Khairi Manns and Eric O’Neill combined for 15 tackles and four sacks in the win over ODU. The Monarchs had no answer for the two transfer defensive ends, who were solid against the run and did well to pressure ODU quarterback Colton Joseph. O’Neill will likely be the hardest player to retain this offseason, as his PFF grades lead the defense this season and his counting stats (12.5 TFLs and 8 sacks) also jump off the page. That duo along the edge has been incredible.

Along the interior, Immanuel Bush and Chris Fitzgerald generated a push for much of the game. They combined for nine tackles and a sack. Bush, a redshirt junior, has developed into one of the conference’s top defensive tackles.

If the Dukes’ defensive front can continue winning the line of scrimmage, a 10-2 regular season feels realistic. This group seemingly plays better every week.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications