JMU (2-0) is thrashing UNC (3-0) 53-21 on the finish of the primary half.
Listed here are three takeaways from the primary half motion:
Quick begin for Dukes and Barnett
This season, JMU has struggled to place up factors within the first half, not to mention early on within the first quarter. However the Dukes scored 25 factors within the first quarter — the third most they’ve scored in a primary quarter.
The offense had a gradual begin as redshirt sophomore quarterback Alonza Barnett III began 1-of-6 passing, and the Dukes had two punts by the 6:06 mark. At this level, JMU’s solely factors have been from a subject objective and landing on a blocked punt.
However within the quarter’s final 4 minutes, Barnett had two passes for 50 yards or extra. The primary move was a 69-yard landing to senior huge receiver Omarion Dollison. The subsequent offensive drive Barnett accomplished a move for precisely 50 yards — Dollison was on the receiving finish as soon as once more. This large play set Barnett as much as run in for a three-yard landing.
JMU didn’t decelerate within the second quarter. Its first drive of the quarter lasted 4:13 and led to Barnett throwing a six yard landing — his third with 10:20 nonetheless left to play within the half. JMU prolonged its result in 39-21 on the 8:45 mark with a Barnett landing move to senior tight finish Taylor Thompson. The landing gave the Dukes its highest scoring efficiency towards a Energy-4 faculty, topping its 36 towards U.Va. final season.
Barnett completed with 5 whole touchdowns within the first half, and JMU went into the half up 53-21.
Heading into UNC, the Dukes averaged 4.5 whole first half factors via two video games.
Particular groups, particular gamers and particular performs
JMU head coach Bob Chesney confirmed confidence in his kicker after the Dukes opened the scoring with a 50-yard subject objective by redshirt junior Noe Ruelas. That kick set the tone for a crowd-silencing blocked punt by senior cornerback Terrence Spence, which was recovered by redshirt sophomore huge receiver Jayden Mines who bumped into the top zone.
Instantly after, the Dukes transformed on a two-point conversion trick-play from Ruelas who threw a two-yard move to redshirt freshman lengthy snapper Jack Mowrey.
That put the Dukes up 11-0 and after they responded from consecutive Tar Heel touchdowns with a 69-yard landing move to Dollison that they transformed on a daring onside kick.
Ruelas executed the onside to perfection and gave the Dukes momentum — establishing a five-play 61-yard drive that led to a three-yard dashing landing from Barnett. Redshirt senior punter Ryan Hanson additionally had three punts for 143 yards, together with a punt that was downed at UNC’s eight-yard line.
Kennedy exhibits play-calling prowess
JMU’s offense struggled two weeks in the past towards FCS opponent Gardner-Webb and put up solely 13 factors. Within the first half towards the Tar Heels, the Dukes put up 53 factors — the highest-scoring first half JMU has had in program historical past
One factor totally different about this recreation — offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy is on the sideline for JMU for the primary time this season as a substitute of up within the sales space. Kennedy confirmed all of the methods he had up his sleeves, whether or not it’s flea glints or placing a number of gamers in movement.
Barnett began the sport 1-of-6 and solely threw two incompletions for the remainder of the half, ending the half 14-of-21.
Kennedy helped playmakers on offense get open for Barnett. Thompson was wide-open in the long run zone for his landing reception, and redshirt senior operating again Tyler Purdy caught a ball with numerous house in entrance of him to realize 19 yards.
Contact Preston Comer and Hayden Hundley at [email protected]. For extra soccer protection, observe the sports activities desk on X and Instagram @TheBreezeSports.