Dukes Host Monarchs in Key Sun Belt Showdown

HARRISONBURG, Va. — The James Madison Dukes (5-1) are set to face off against the Old Dominion Monarchs (4-2) in a crucial Sun Belt Conference matchup this Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and is critical for both teams as they strive to improve their conference standings.

James Madison is coming off a solid 24-14 victory against Louisiana, where quarterback Alonza Barnett III threw three touchdown passes, including the game-clincher to Landon Ellis in the fourth quarter. Barnett was 26-of-40 for 290 yards, while Wayne Knight contributed 111 rushing yards on 20 carries. Ellis ended the night with six catches for 120 yards.

Conversely, Old Dominion fell to Marshall last weekend in a 48-24 match, marking a disappointing return to form after an earlier conference win. Boogie Trotter put the Monarchs on the board first with a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown. However, they couldn’t hold the lead as the Thundering Herd scored 24 unanswered points. Quarterback Colton Joseph had one touchdown pass but also threw two interceptions, while running back Maurki James managed 83 rushing yards and a touchdown.

This matchup is pivotal, as James Madison holds a narrow 3-2 lead in the series, having won the last three encounters, including a 35-32 victory at Old Dominion last November. The Dukes aim to extend their winning streak against the Monarchs, who are looking to bounce back from a tough loss and stay competitive in the conference.

Fans can catch the game live on ESPNU or stream online via services like Fubo and ESPN+. Both teams are eager to gain momentum as the season progresses.