JMU football blew out Georgia State, 49-22, on Saturday. The Dukes are a perfect 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Sun Belt.

Here are three takeaways from the Dukes’ win.

The “different” defense held up

Delvin Joyce, a JMU Hall of Famer and host of our “To The House” podcast, said all preseason that fans should be ready for a team that wins differently. The defense should be expected to give up more points, given JMU’s offensive tempo. The speedy possessions force the defense to be on the field for more drives. As a result, they’re almost certain to allow more yardage and points. But that doesn’t mean JMU’s defense is bad.

Saturday was a perfect example of Delvin’s point.

JMU gave up 22 points and 373 yards. On the surface, neither seems that impressive, but a closer look reveals a solid showing.

The Dukes held Georgia State, which ranks third in the Sun Belt in scoring at 36.5 points per game, to a season-low in points (22), passing yards (185), third-down conversions (30.8%) and yards per play (5.65). The Panthers, led by Texas Tech transfer Cameran Brown at quarterback, have been exceptional offensively. They put up over 480 yards of offense in a 14-point loss to UCF, a Big 12 team that only allows an average of 355 yards per game this year.

“This was probably the closest game we had to putting everything together,” linebacker Nakian Jackson said. “We’re still not our best style of play … but this was a step in the right direction.”

JMU didn’t completely shut down the Panthers, but it did more than enough to win, including forcing two turnovers and another two fourth-down stops.

The Dukes are led by their offense and special teams, but the defense isn’t bad. It might not be elite, but the unit is sufficiently contributing to the 7-0 start. It just looks different than recent seasons.

As Delvin reminds us, different doesn’t mean bad. It just means different.

If you have two QBs, you have … 2?

People like to joke that a team with two quarterbacks actually has none. Typically, a two-quarterback system means neither guy has played well enough to earn the job, and the resulting offense becomes a mess.

Well, the Dukes might actually have two QBs worthy of starting and sharing the field on Saturdays.

Since returning from injury last week, JC Evans has completed six of his 10 passes for 138 yards and three scores. That’s elite. He’s also added 13 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown, excelling in short-yardage spots.

Camden Coleman played perhaps his best game of the season against the Panthers. He went 13-for-19 for 185 yards and two touchdowns. His incompletions were often catchable passes or smart throwaways, and he added four rushes for an efficient 26 yards. He was superb.

They also both seem content rotating, which is rare in the portal and revenue-sharing era.

“That’s my guy,” Evans said of Coleman. “We sit next to each other in church. We spent the summer watching TV shows with the guys. Got our own little friend group. Lot of bowling, too.”

Expect the two friends to both take snaps again against App State, as they try to force defenses to prepare for slightly different offensive packages. Coleman appears slightly more comfortable passing than running, but he can do both very well. Evans’ rushing ability is rare in a quarterback, and he throws a beautiful ball, too. They each keep defenses honest.

“They both deserve to play,” Napier said. “They’re both capable of playing well.”

Power Conference teams will want to poach both over the offseason. If you’re picking a sub for your bowling league, however, go with Coleman. He posted a 225 over the offseason.

“He’s very fundamental,” Evans said, with a smile. “With everything he does, he’s just oddly fundamental about it. Basketball, you watch him shoot a jump shot, it’s very pure.”

“I like to think of myself as pretty good,” Coleman laughed.

Michael Scott delivers again

Michael Scott has emerged as a sophomore star.

In Saturday’s win, he had three kickoff returns for 120 yards, four receptions for 44 yards, and one rush for 32 yards. He had one receiving touchdown, too.

Scott is an electric playmaker, and he’s not just a return specialist. He’s up to 241 receiving yards and 40 rushing yards on the season. He’s one of the best returners in college football, but he’s also proven to be a reliable receiving target and a dynamic player on jet sweeps and reverses.

“Mikey Scott continues to change the game,” Napier said.

Defenses need to be aware of his presence offensively, given his game-changing speed and elusiveness. He’s a special talent, and a key cog in the 2026 JMU machine.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications