The Shadow
HARRISONBURG, Va. (VR) – James Madison scored points on each of its first four drives to earn a 20-13 win over Liberty in the Battle of the Blue Ridge on Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium.
The Dukes (1-0) never trailed, helping Billy Napier secure his first victory as the head coach at JMU. Running back George Pettaway led the way with 15 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown, while defensive back Jayon Harvey registered a game-high eight tackles on defense.
James Madison opened the year on a 12-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a seven-yard Pettaway touchdown run to make it 7-0.
After Liberty (0-1) got on the board with a second-quarter field goal, JMU responded with one of its own. Kicker Morgan Suarez drilled a 46-yard field to make it 10-3, before wide receiver Corey Scott caught a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback JC Evans to extend the lead to 17-3 with 1:53 to play before halftime.
Evans finished 7-of-9 through the air for 61 yards and the score, while also tallying 69 rushing yards in his first career start.
The Flames made it 17-6 at the break with another field goal on the final play of the first half.
Suarez added his second made field goal of the day – a 32-yarder – to open the third quarter. It marked his fourth career game at JMU with multiple field goals.
Liberty got within seven (20-13) at the 8:33 mark in the fourth quarter, thanks to a 34-yard touchdown pass from Deshawn Purdie to Makai Jackson. The Flames threatened again late but the Dukes’ defense held, forcing a turnover on downs at midfield with 2:16 to play.
From there, JMU was able to run out the clock to preserve the season-opening victory.
With the win, the Dukes improved to 14-6 all time against Liberty, including 7-4 in Harrisonburg. It also marked JMU’s 22nd straight and 102nd overall win over an opponent from Virginia.
JMU also extended its streak of home-opening wins to 24, dating back to 2003.
James Madison finished with just 49 total offensive plays and held a time of possession of just 22:38.
The announced attendance was 25,035, good for the seventh consecutive regular-season sellout at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Dukes have now sold out 17 of their last 19 regular-season home games.
Up next, JMU will remain at home and play host to Wagner on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Bridgeforth Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
