A vocal group of fans loudly called for JMU football to bench starting quarterback Alonza Barnett after the Dukes’ first two games of the season.

The angry bunch wanted to see Washington transfer Dylan Morris with the keys to the offense, rather than Barnett, who lost the starting job to Jordan McCloud in 2023. McCloud, an Arizona transfer, went on to win Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2023. Fans felt that Morris, another Pac-12 transfer, would be a much better option that Barnett. 

Well, Barnett silenced the critics Saturday against UNC. 

Barnett led JMU to a 70-50 win over the Tar Heels, accounting for 487 yards of total offense and a program-record seven total touchdowns. He didn’t just look like a deserving starting quarterback, Barnett looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate.

“It’s been phenomenal,” JMU coach Bob Chesney told Dave Riggert of Alonza’s development and play. “But you’re not allowed to jump on this bandwagon anymore. I’m serious. I’m dead serious. All those doubters out there, you’re not allowed. Stay where you were. Be on that side of it. We’re with our guy. We believe in him. We believe in everybody on this team. For you that doubted, do not speak a word about it at all. We’re not listening anyway. We care about what we think.”

While Chesney might not have time to hear from the haters, we do. It’s time for the doubters to apologize.

We opened an official Alonza Barnett apology form earlier this week, here are the apology letters/statements we received. Thanks to everyone for their submissions.

Alonza Barnett Apologies 

Connor: “I’m sorry for doubting you and telling my friends and family you suck. I was want to apologize to my girlfriend for listening to me complain about him for 3 weeks.”

Hingle McCringleberry: “I would like to express my deep regret for saying the old and washed Dylan Morris should start over our lord and savior Alonza “Lamar Jackson with an arm” Barnett III and henceforth fully support the UNDEFEATED JMU Dukes and our incredible captain Bob “better than Belichick” Chesney.”

Duke Dog Burner: “I did not see the vision. I was a Dylan Morris supporter but I’ve come to see the light, the truth, that is the School of Zo. From electric runs to 50 yard bombs, I was blinded by the myth of QB experience. AB3 is the experience. After today, I am an Alonza Loyalist who will stick through misreads and miscues. Alonza is the way, and I will fight for him every step of the way to a Sun Belt Championship and overcome the one who succumbed to the dark side, Jordan McCloud. AB3 is the Chosen One that will lead us to CFB greatness.”

Kevin: “Sorry for not letting him get comfy, he’s pretty cool when he’s comfy in the game.”

Another Kevin: “Alonza, Where do I begin? Through 3 games and a half of a quarter your inability to complete even the simplest of short range and intermediate throws seriously concerned me. My level of consternation was so great that I publicly called for your benching! I can only tell you that I did it not out of hate for you, but for love of this team and school. I’m sorry for publicly declaring, in all caps, THAT YOU STINK. I was wrong. I’m deeply ashamed of my conduct. I’m still slightly befuddled as to why you need to complete at least 2 40+ air yard passes before you get into a grove; I’m still confused as to how you can lay an egg against Gardner-Webb and then score 7 total TDs against UNC. Maybe you’re just a gamer, and you need an opponent worthy of your skill set to muster all of your talents? Whatever it is, I sincerely regret my hostility and animosity towards you. Please accept my apologies. I wish you the best and I look forward to many more 7 touchdown performances in the future.”

Parkerson Hague: “Sorry, you are our savior.”

Connor Dulevitz: “Alonza, I am sorry. I will admit, I had doubts. I didn’t know your game. Now that I have seen the light, I’m all in. You definitely put in work over the offseason, and now that JMU nation knows what you can do, you could be unstoppable. Here’s to a fantastic rest of your season, and GO DUKES!!!”

The Associated Press national player of the week in football for Week 4 of the season is Alonza Barnett III of James Madison. The Dukes' quarterback had a hand in a program-record seven touchdowns in his team's 70-50 win over North Carolina. https://t.co/6OWTYIgs0i pic.twitter.com/RO9Vhv45vI

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) September 23, 2024

Dalton: “While I didn’t go nearly as far as others, I certainly had doubts. I was concerned about how the first couple games had gone this season. Alonza, I am sorry for doubting you in this offense and hope to continue to see you flourish. Not sure anybody saw THAT coming, but damn you answered the questions. Almost 500 total yards and 7 TDS???? You deserve a hell of a lot of credit for sticking with JMU after last year. I hope you go down in JMU history as one of the best to ever do it and there’s a statue built in your honor. Hitting OD in stride on that offsides was electric. The pass went 55 yards in the air and it looked like he could throw it 80. Doubts no more. To Coach Chesney, I’m sorry too. This is why you’re a coach and I’m not. I hope that you allow all of us former doubters on the Alonza bandwagon and we can ride this thing as far as it’ll go. I could watch the UNC game on repeat because that was an absolute masterclass. Go Dukes!”

Bill: “For 2 games and one bye week, I was an Alonza Barnett Non-believer. I publicly called for the Dukes to give Morris a look after the Gardner Webb game. I always say, there’s one thing I love more than being right, and that’s being wrong. Alonza, you have made a believer out of me.”

Ryan Rutherford: “I sincerely and wholeheartedly apologize to Mr. Alonza Barnett the Third. I was blinded by the hype of former All PAC 12 (RIP Pac12) QB Dylan Morris. I also won a national championship with JMU in NCAA 25 with Dylan at QB so I have already visualized it so much. (For real — I do feel bad Dylan moved across country for his last year of college to sit on the bench). I was also experiencing extreme levels of Deja Vu from Mr. Barnett the Third’s first start last year. I herby pledge House Rutherchevy to House Barnett the Third. Long Live QBAB3, future Heisman winner and National Champion. I will defend your honor in every way I can (on Twitter and at Bridgeforth on Saturdays.)

Jack: “Sorry”

L: “I told my friends I wanted to see Morris play. I am sorry. It makes me feel deep regret that I got excited about the prospect of a Power 5 transfer coming to our school, especially at such an important position, and completely ignored the work Alonza put in. I should have known there was a reason he was originally named QB1 last year. Additionally, I should have trusted king Bob and his glorious staff for naming him QB1. I ignored the signs and I am sorry. Alonza, please accept my apology. If you wish, please meet me at festi so I can punch for you.”

John Appleseed: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. I was shouting where is Dylan Morris at the first half of the UNC Charlotte game, but I now recognize Alonza Barnett the third as our one and only true QB. I renounce any other QBs and will proceed to be come an AB3 stan from here on out. Amen.”

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications