We’re back after the latest three game stretch for JMU football to share our “third quarter” report card. The Dukes have completed 75% of their regular-season schedule, so how have the three units graded out through nine games?

We break it down with help from our friends at Pro Football Focus.

Offense

This unit was not rolling through six games, earning a grade of C-. That’s not the case anymore.

In JMU football’s past three games, the Dukes have scored 63, 52, and 35 points. Quarterback Alonza Barnett has nine touchdown passes and another five rushing scores during that span, as he’s gone from a middling SBC player through six games to a candidate for Sun Belt Player of the Year.

Wide receiver Nick DeGennaro has also come alive during the past three games, reeling in four touchdowns. He had another play that should’ve been a TD against Texas State but he and Barnett narrowly missed connecting. The running game remains an asset with Wayne Knight and Jordan Fuller both playing at a high level.

The Dukes lead the SBC in scoring at 34.8 points per game. It’s a different JMU offense now than it was a month ago.

Season-long grade: B

Season-long PFF MVP: RB Jordan Fuller, 88.1 grade

Defense

The Dukes have had a tougher time defensively in their three most recent games, allowing 20 points or more in each. But they’ve still done well, relative to the competition.

ODU averages 32 points per game, and the Dukes held them to 27 and below 300 yards. Texas State scores 34.7 per game and the Dukes kept them to 20. Marshall averages 32.9 a game and that dipped to 23 against JMU, with two 50-ish yard field goals helping the cause.

JMU’s defense remains the strength of the team, and it will have a chance to dominate the remaining opponents on the schedule. Defensive end/outside linebacker Amar Thomas is an underrated hero on the unit. His 88.2 PFF tackling grade ranks inside the top 10 nationally for edge rushers. He’s been incredibly reliable.

On the season, JMU ranks second nationally in defensive success rate. The Dukes rank in the top 20 nationally in third-down conversion percentage defense, passing efficiency defense, rushing defense, total defense, and scoring defense. Not too shabby.

Season-long grade: A

Season-long PFF MVP: LB Trent Hendrick, 78.7 grade

Special teams

If you’re looking for a weakness, it might be the Dukes’ special teams unit. JMU ranks 86th nationally in special teams efficiency, according to ESPN’s data.

JMU is just 4-for-8 on field goal attempts and it ranks outside the top five in the Sun Belt in net punting and net kickoffs. Outside of a blocked punt in Week 1 and a kickoff return for a touchdown against Georgia Southern, it’s been an underwhelming year for the unit.

The portal really hurt JMU here, with kicker Noe Ruelas making 14 of his 16 field goal attempts at UCF. He’s 7-for-9 from beyond 40 yards and has three made kicks over 50 yards.

Season-long grade: C-

Season-long MVP: P Patrick Rea

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications