JMU is a perfect 3-0 after taking down UNC by a final score of 70-50 over the weekend. Naturally, there’s a lot to be happy about for JMU fans after a dominant win over an ACC foe.

Let’s go through our Week 4 report card, which gives the team stellar marks across the board. We used Pro Football Focus numbers to help dish out our grades. 

Offense: A

How can you give the offense anything other than an A?

Alonza Barnett looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate, recording 487 yards of offense and scoring seven total touchdowns. He was dynamic on the ground and through the air, and Omarion Dollison (three catches, 120 yards, and a TD) remains an elite deep threat. Cam Ross was a monster, securing seven balls for 107 yards and a score.

The offensive line graded out phenomenally, with an 86.9 pass blocking grade on Pro Football Focus. The team’s 69.6 run blocking grade was also well above average. Joseph Simmons led JMU’s offensive linemen with a pass blocking grade of 85.9. Pat McMurtrie led the linemen with a run blocking grade of 79.4. Just about every lineman who saw the field Saturday graded highly on PFF. The Dukes ran for 223 yards in the win, as George Pettaway put up a steady 87 yards to go with Barnett’s 99. The runners benefited from exceptional blocking.

Just about everything worked for JMU’s offense on Saturday, against a UNC defense that looked great through three games. The Tar Heels held Minnesota, Charlotte, and NC Central to a combined 47 points through three games, but JMU erupted for 70 — 56 of which came from the offense.

PFF MVP: QB Alonza Barnett, 88.8 grade

Defense: B

Forcing five turnovers against a Power Four team is an A+ worthy performance. Unfortunately for the Dukes, they also allowed over 600 yards.

JMU’s defense created turnovers, which played a huge role in the victory. Defensive back Terrence Spence was a game-changing player, recording two interceptions in addition to his blocked punt. One of the interceptions Spence returned for a score.

The linebackers stepped up their respective games, too. Jacob Dobbs received a season-best grade of 77, and Trent Hendrick earned his season-best grade of 76.1 from PFF. Hendrick was tied with defensive back DJ Barksdale for the team lead with seven tackles. Both Barksdale and Hendrick also recorded two tackles for loss, and Hendrick forced a fumble that was recovered by Dobbs.

Spence, Dobbs, Hendrick, and Barksdale were flying around the field Saturday, with Barksdale (a sophomore) slowly becoming a defensive standout with increased reps. Only Jacob Dobbs (191 snaps) has played more defensive snaps than Barksdale (190) this season, signaling that JMU’s coaching staff has tremendous trust in the young defensive back. Barksdale’s Saturday PFF grade of 56.5 was average, but he excelled in run defense (81.3). He occasionally struggled in coverage (51.8), but he was also facing some of the best skill players the Dukes will see all fall. He’s a budding star in the secondary.

Terrence Spence : 4 tackles, 2 INT's including a 33-yard pick 6 (both in the 2nd quarter) & a blocked punt
Jayden Mines : 14-yard touchdown return off of a blocked punt pic.twitter.com/42IZmS9SbF

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 21, 2024

Still, UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell completed 28 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 17 yards per completion, as the Dukes struggled to limit explosive passing plays. Five different UNC receivers recorded over 50 receiving yards, as the Tar Heels spread the ball around to score consistently.

Of UNC’s 16 drives, the Tar Heels either scored or turned the ball over on 12 of them. The Dukes could benefit from forcing a few more punts in future games.

This was a respectable performance from JMU’s defense — and forcing five turnovers is fantastic — but it’s hard to earn an A when the opposing team drops a 50 burger and puts up over 600 yards.

PFF MVP: DB Terrence Spence, 86.8 grade

Special Teams: B+

What a performance! The Dukes blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, recovered an onside kick, and went a perfect 2-2 on field goals with makes from 44 and 50 yards from Noe Ruelas.

That’s incredible.

I’m giving JMU a B+ instead of an A+ because the Dukes also allowed a blocked punt touchdown. That’s a significant miscue, and while it wasn’t costly on Saturday, it’s not a great sign. The Dukes will have to clean that up moving forward.

Coaching: A+

JMU used its bye week to go from a sluggish performance against Gardner-Webb to beating UNC so badly that head coach Mack Brown asked his players after the game if he should retire. Yes, that actually happened.

Bob Chesney and his staff deserves a load of credit for preparing JMU for the road game, and playing to win the game. The Dukes were aggressive offensively, taking deep shots in the passing game and going for it on fourth downs when needed.

On special teams, JMU made incredible plays in part due to great film study and schematics. Defensively, forcing five turnovers against UNC’s offense is no small feat.

JMU made plays in all three phases, and the coaches deserve credit for the upset win.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications