JMU Second Half Adjustments Proves Once Again to Be an Elite Difference Maker

The JMU Dukes had a struggle this week after a dominant few weeks, as it took a game-winning 58-yard rushing touchdown from Wayne Knight with 6:24 remaining in the game for James Madison to pull out the 24-20 win over the Washington State Cougars in Harrisonburg on Saturday. Give Credit to Washington State as they controlled the first half of this game through and through, with the only highlight for the Dukes being a Justin Eaglin 37-yard interception return touchdown in the second quarter. Here are some takeaways from this game. 

Second Half Bob Chensey pops his stuff again 

JMU head coach Bob Chensey and his staff do it again in the second half after being down 17-10 at halftime, as the Dukes have been a second-half team all season long, other than the Louisville loss. The Dukes won this second half 14-3, which was a strong showcase against a team that played No. 4 Ole Miss down to the wire, and the No. 19 Virginia down to the wire as well. The Dukes ended up winning this game by more of a margin than both the Rebels and Cavaliers did in their games. So I ask the CFP committee, does the American have the better eye test NOW?! 

As I have been on record for the last few weeks and have on record in a tweet on Tuesday night, which I will show below!

Great job Catie as always. It’s clear to me that the SOS is the priority in the Group of 5 argument this year. Which is unfortunate because I believe the better eye test team in the G5 is currently on the outside end right now.

— Brandon Ellis (@30BEllis) November 19, 2025

Final Thoughts

If the Dukes are looking to make the Playoff, they need to continue to improve and win out because the CFP is clearly favoring the American Conference for that Group of Five Spot, which I clearly think is the wrong decision because James Madison is clearly the better eye test team on paper in every other metric than strength of schedule. James Madison controls their destiny to some degree, but has to hope that more chaos happens with the American. 

Overall, the Offense played good in the second half of this game, led by Knight, but they’re going to have to have more consistent efforts these next two weeks, including the Sun Belt Championship, to make the Playoff because they need more style points probably. Next up, Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina.