By Daeshon Joyce

After a dominant 49-22 Homecoming win over Georgia State, the undefeated Dukes head to Boone for a Thursday night Sun Belt matchup with App State. JMU football enters at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play, while the Mountaineers (4-2, 1-1 SBC) are coming off a dramatic 35-32 comeback win at Coastal Carolina. With both teams carrying momentum into a nationally televised game, the matchup at Kidd Brewer Stadium could be one of the Dukes’ biggest tests of the season.

How to Watch

TV: ESPNU

Kickoff time: 7 p.m. ET on Thursday

Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium — Boone, North Carolina

Weather: Late-October weather in Boone can be chilly, especially for a night kickoff. Fans should check the local forecast closer to game time and plan to dress in layers. At the time of kickoff, it is slated to be 55 degrees with temperatures dropping into the 40s. 

App State Overview

App State enters the matchup at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in Sun Belt play. The Mountaineers rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit to defeat Coastal Carolina 35-32 last Friday. App State produced 516 yards of offense, including 253 rushing yards, in its best offensive performance against an FBS opponent this season.

Record: 4-2 overall, 1-1 in the Sun Belt. App State’s comeback win showcased its ground game, as the Mountaineers rushed for 253 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns against Coastal Carolina.

Coach: Dowell Loggains is in his second season as App State’s head coach. The Mountaineers have played several close games this season, making late-game execution an important storyline heading into Thursday.

Key players to watch

Henry Hasselbeck, QB (App State): Hasselbeck helped lead App State’s comeback against Coastal Carolina, completing nine of his 12 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. He added 21 rushes for 125 yards. He didn’t play the full game, as Malachi Singleton is the team’s starter, but Singleton is banged up and questionable for Thursday’s game. 

Jaquari Lewis, RB (App State): Lewis was a difference-maker against Coastal Carolina, rushing for a season-high 85 yards and scoring four touchdowns. JMU must be disciplined against the run and prevent Lewis from consistently creating short-yardage and red-zone opportunities.

Sam Pickett, WR (App State): Pickett led App State with 78 receiving yards against Coastal Carolina and caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck. His ability to make plays downfield gives the Mountaineers another weapon for JMU’s secondary to track.

Camden Coleman, QB (JMU): Coleman threw for 185 yards in JMU’s 49-22 win over Georgia State. His decision-making and ability to connect on timely throws will be important against an App State team that excels at creating interceptions.

George Pettaway, RB (JMU): Pettaway rushed for 119 yards against Georgia State, continuing to give the Dukes a productive option on the ground. 

Keys to the game

Stop the run

App State rushed for 253 yards and four touchdowns in its latest game, with Jaquari Lewis scoring four times. JMU needs to win at the line of scrimmage, maintain gap discipline and tackle consistently. The Mountaineers generate most of their yardage offensively through the air, but with Singleton banged up, they look poised to lean more on the run.

Limit explosive plays

App State showed against Coastal Carolina that it can score quickly and recover from a double-digit deficit. The Mountaineers have 33 plays fo 20+ yards this season in six games, putting them well within the top half of the FBS in explosive play creation. JMU’s defense has allowed 24 passing plays over 24 yards, which ranks 115th out of 138 FBS teams.

Protect the football

A road game in Boone can become difficult if JMU gives App State extra possessions or lets the home crowd energize the Mountaineers. App State is particularly good at forcing turnovers, ranking in the top 10 nationally in interceptions with nine. Both JMU and App State rank inside the top 25 nationally in turnover margin per game.

Score prediction

JMU enters unbeaten after scoring 49 points against Georgia State, but App State’s recent comeback win and improving rushing attack make this a challenging road test. The Dukes will need to slow Lewis, stay disciplined against Hasselbeck and avoid turnovers. If JMU can establish George Pettaway and control the line of scrimmage, it has a strong chance to leave Boone still undefeated.

JMU 42, App State 21

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications