When JMU wrapped up its 13-6 win over Gardner-Webb, there were a LOT of questions about the Dukes.

After beating UNC 70-50, many of the questions were seemingly answered. Quiet are the calls to bench Alonza Barnett. Loud are the voices signing Bob Chesney’s praises.

JMU finds itself in the College Football Playoff discussion after the ACC win, and there’s a lot to like about the Dukes’ prospects in the Sun Belt this fall. Let’s break down three key takeaways from JMU’s win over the Tar Heels.

Dominant Offensive Line

Chesney said in the postgame press conference he wasn’t sure if JMU’s offensive line would hold up in pass protection against UNC. Early in the game, it was clear the offensive line would be just fine.

Chesney said Barnett noticed, too. The redshirt sophomore began to trust his protection after a 1-6 start and scanned the field patiently, connecting on several chunk plays down the field en route to a 388-yard passing performance.

“Those guys are monsters up front,” Barnett said. “It doesn’t matter who we face.”

JMU’s offensive line was fantastic in pass protection, and it has been in every game this fall. The Dukes lead the country with a 90.9 pass blocking grade on Pro Football Focus, ahead of programs like Texas (87.6) and Georgia (83).

The Dukes’ offensive line looks like a major strength through three games, and the unit hasn’t had Tyshawn Wyatt available yet as he recovers from a 2023 injury. Wyatt has over 30 career starts along the left side of JMU’s offensive front.

JMU’s offensive line depth is fantastic.

Five JMU offensive linemen – Joseph Simmons (89.2), Riley Robell (84.4), Jesse Ramil (84.3), Cole Potts (80.2), and Pat McMurtrie (80.2) have PFF pass-blocking grades above 80. Several other players are close, with Carter Sweazie (77.8) and Tanner Morris (74.9) also being steady pass blockers up front.

The run blocking hasn’t been too shabby either. The Dukes rank 25th nationally with a run blocking grade of (72.2). JMU ran for 223 yards (5.7 yards per carry) in Saturday’s win over the Tar Heels. Running back George Pettaway said he felt UNC’s defensive tackles wear down in the win.

“They’re pretty big inside, but they got tired quick, very quick,” Pettaway said. “They didn’t really get off blocks like we expected them to. They probably doubted our offensive line. I don’t know why you would do that because they’ve been doing a very solid job.”

Despite some media reports and social media critiques after the opening two games, JMU’s offensive line has played well all season. The Dukes were dominant against North Carolina.

Is Bob Chesney the anti-Cignetti?

Curt Cignetti is an amazing football coach. He’s 55-9 as a head coach at the FBS level, and he’s turned Indiana into a competent football team immediately. The Hoosiers are a dark-horse contender to make the playoff, as they have both a talented roster and a favorable schedule.

Bob Chesney is a damn good coach, too. And his style differs quite a bit from Cignetti. That’s not necessarily good or bad, but it’s notable.

Chesney was highly aggressive in Saturday’s win over UNC, as the Dukes faked an extra point, ran a flea flicker, and recovered a first-half onside kick. It looked a lot different than the usual Cignetti game plan, which often leaned on defense and conservative decision making.

While JMU blew leads against UVA and Utah State last season before eventually doing enough to secure victories, the Dukes didn’t take their foot off the gas Saturday.

The special teams plays from JMU in this game have been absurd.

It’s hard to process all of the quality plays so far. One of the craziest games we’ve seen in a long, long time. pic.twitter.com/GOly9UvGAN

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 21, 2024

JMU went for a fourth-and-1 at midfield on the final play of the third quarter, with JMU leading 60-38 and UNC making a push to get back into the game. Alonza Barnett scampered for 24 yards, and the drive ended in a field goal. The made kick put JMU back up by four possessions. The fourth-down decision led to a significant three points for the Dukes, and it prevented UNC from flipping momentum.

“I did not want to leave this game going back home, trying to sleep at night and saying, ‘I wish I was more aggressive.’ I did not want to do that,” Chesney said. “I’ve lived that life before, and I don’t want to live that life again. I think our aggressiveness will continue.”

JMU has attempted six fourth-down conversions through three games (two per game, including three per FBS game). Last year’s JMU team attempted 16 fourth-down conversions all season in 13 games (1.2 per game). It’s an early sample size, but Chesney appears more willing to play aggressively than Cignetti. Again, that doesn’t make him a better coach than Cignetti, but it’s a notable difference.

JMU is Explosive

Offensively, the Dukes averaged 17.6 yards per completion against UNC. Alonza Barnett is connecting on deep balls at an exceptional rate early this season.

JMU, despite not playing in Week 3 due to a bye week, is tied for fifth nationally with six passes of 40+ yards this season. The Dukes – led by wide receiver Omarion Dollison’s three catches of 40+ yards – are hard to contain on deep passes.

“That guy is pretty fast, huh?” Barnett said. “It’s nice to have somebody like that on the field who can just stretch the field. It makes things easier for myself and the team. All I have to do is put it in the vicinity and that guy is gonna come down with it.”

Halftime. Yes, halftime.

JMU leads UNC 53-21 in one of the craziest halves you’ll ever see. To recount:

– JMU forced four turnovers
– JMU blocked a punt for a TD
– JMU recovered an onside kick
– Alonza Barnett had 5 total TDs pic.twitter.com/02uE8VrGXD

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) September 21, 2024

Defensively, JMU forced five turnovers against the Tar Heels. Terrence Spence snagged a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown.

On the season, JMU has forced 10 turnovers through three games. The Dukes lead the country in turnover margin per game (+2.33), as JMU has done well to protect the football and the defense is forcing turnovers at an elite rate.

On special teams, JMU scored a blocked punt touchdown thanks to Spence’s blocked kick and Jayden Mines scooping the ball and scoring.

“He starts on three out of four [special teams] units for us,” JMU special teams coordinator Drew Canan said on Mines. “Doesn’t probably get talked about enough. He does a great job. I love that kid to death.”

Also, kicker Noe Ruelas might have the strongest leg of any kicker in program history. The TV broadcast said Ruelas is capable of hitting field goals from as far away as 65 yards, and his 50-yard made kick sailed through the uprights with plenty of room to spare. He’s an NFL prospect. 

JMU’s offense could benefit from more reliably connecting on short passes. The defense gave up over 600 yards to UNC, and the special teams unit allowed a blocked punt for a touchdown. The team also committed over 100 yards worth of penalties.

In no way was Saturday’s performance perfect, but holy heck it was explosive.

Chesney’s team needs to be more consistent in a few areas moving forward, but explosive football teams win games. If the Dukes can produce explosive plays in all three phases and clean up sloppy mistakes, there’s no reason JMU can’t win the Sun Belt and make a College Football Playoff push.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications