JMU football quarterback Alonza Barnett III will miss this year’s Boca Raton Bowl because of an injury, according to head coach Bob Chesney.

Billy Atkins will start at quarterback for the Dukes. It’ll be his second career start, as he started against Marshall in 2022 and tossed four interceptions in a home loss.

“He’s taken a ton of reps,” Chesney said. “He’s really excited about his opportunity.”

While Chesney didn’t give specifics about the injury, Barnett seemingly suffered the injury on the final play of the Marshall game. Barnett rolled to his right in double overtime and took a sack, while taking the sack he fell awkwardly and immediately held his right knee. He limped off the field under his own power and the Dukes didn’t play any more offensive snaps in the game. 

It’s unclear how serious Barnett’s injury is and if it could impact his availability in the spring of 2025 or next fall. 

As for the bowl game — JMU will play Western Kentucky on Dec. 18 — the Dukes will have to lean on some combination of Billy Atkins, JC Evans, and Blake Kendall. Atkins is the most experienced, while Evans has the most upside and rushing ability. 

Washington transfer Dylan Morris will be unavailable for the game, as he recently shared on social media that he underwent surgery on his throwing arm. Chesney said Morris struggled to grip a football prior to the surgery. The Dukes will be without their top two quarterbacks, instead likely having to lean on their running game and a trio of inexperienced options behind center. 

Fortunately for JMU, WKU struggles to stop the run. Jacksonville State ran for 386 yards in the CUSA title game, winning 52-12 in the process. Not having Barnett and Morris is a massive blow to JMU’s QB room, but the Dukes might be able to get away with it. 

Could the bowl game be a perfect end to Atkins’ JMU career? The longtime backup has stuck with the program despite minimal starting opportunity. Or will the game be a coming out party for true freshman JC Evans, perhaps a sign that he could soon be the program’s QB1? 

“We might have two quarterbacks play,” offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy said. “We’ll see how it’s gonna play out.”

It’s likely Evans, a gifted runner, will be used in some capacity. He carried the ball four times for 11 yards in the Dukes’ blowout of Coastal Carolina, and he had one carry for five yards against ULM. Could he throw his first pass in a JMU uniform in the game? It’s quite possible. 

“He’s done a really good job of learning,” Kennedy said of the true freshman. 

Whatever JMU decides to do in terms of QB rotations, offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy will need to be creative for the offense to work without its top two QBs.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications