Ball State Cardinals at James Madison Dukes
· NCAA - Football
Alonza Barnett III continues stellar play with 6 more TDs in leading James Madison past Ball State
Barnett continued his stellar play after setting a school record last week in a 70-50 win over North Carolina with seven total touchdowns, becoming the first Sun Belt player to throw for five touchdowns and rush for two more in the same game.
Barnett's performance last Saturday led to an Associated Press National Player of the Week award and James Madison receiving 11 points in the latest top 25 poll. He finished 22 of 34 for 388 yards with no interceptions, while rushing for a career-best 99 yards on 13 carries.
JMU has scored 133 points in the last two weeks.
Barnett’s passing touchdowns against Ball State went for 12, 5, 10, 26 and 22 yards, and his 18-yard touchdown run made it 49-7 with 7:19 left in the third quarter.
JMU dominated the game with 522 total yards of offense, while its defense made three interceptions.
Yamir Knight caught his first touchdown pass on the opening drive of the game, and Jobi Malary rushed for his first career touchdown for JMU with 6:54 left in the first for a 15-0 lead. The Dukes scored touchdowns on their first four possessions.
Defensive lineman Eric O’Neill returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-7 early in the third quarter. Terrence Spence made his third interception of the season and DJ Barksdale added the first of his career.
Taylor Thompson caught five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown for James Madison (4-0). Knight added two touchdown grabs.
Kadin Semonza was 22 of 35 for 168 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions for Ball State (1-3).
It was JMU's first victory against a team from the Mid-American Conference in three tries.
How To Watch
How can I watch Ball State Cardinals vs. James Madison Dukes?
- TV Channel: Cardinals at Dukes 2021 College Football, week 5, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Matchup Prediction
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 10:15 | Yamir Knight 12 Yd pass from Alonza Barnett III (Noe Ruelas Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 6:54 | George Pettaway 24 Yd Run (Taylor Thompson Run for Two-Point Conversion) |
 |
TD | 1st Period 3:34 | Tanner Koziol 15 Yd pass from Kadin Semonza (Carson Holmer Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 1:51 | Omarion Dollison 5 Yd pass from Alonza Barnett III (Noe Ruelas Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 4:20 | Yamir Knight 10 Yd pass from Alonza Barnett III (Noe Ruelas Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 13:58 | Eric O'Neill 27 Yd Interception Return (Noe Ruelas PAT failed) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 9:45 | Cam Ross 26 Yd pass from Alonza Barnett III (Noe Ruelas Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 7:19 | Alonza Barnett III 18 Yd Run (Noe Ruelas Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 10:55 | Taylor Thompson 22 Yd pass from Alonza Barnett III (Noe Ruelas Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 2:40 | Jobi Malary 32 Yd Run (Max Lipinski Kick) |
Statistics
 BALL |
 JMU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1st Downs | 29 |
| 7-16 | 3rd down efficiency | 9-10 |
| 2-5 | 4th down efficiency | 1-1 |
| 250 | Total Yards | 506 |
| 173 | Passing | 286 |
| 23/38 | Comp/Att | 21/29 |
| 4.6 | Yards per pass | 9.9 |
| 77 | Rushing | 220 |
| 33 | Rushing Attempts | 34 |
| 2.3 | Yards per rush | 6.5 |
| 3-20 | Penalties | 4-45 |
| 3 | Turnovers | 0 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
| 3 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 33:41 | Possession | 26:19 |
Game Information
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Attendance: 25,786 · Capacity:
College Football News
Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo credits vomit for Peach Bowl rally
The running back spearheaded Arizona State's fourth-quarter comeback after a stomach-turning moment.
Donovan Murph, 4-star WR in '25 class, commits to South Carolina
Four-star receiver Donovan Murph became the sixth ESPN 300 prospect to join the 2025 South Carolina recruiting class, announcing his decision Thursday at the UA All-America Game.
Big 12 commish wants 'standards' after no targeting call in CFP
Brett Yormark is calling for more consistency in determining targeting penalties after no call was made late in Arizona State's CFP quarterfinal loss.
Gunner Stockton tosses 1st TD of the season for Georgia
Gunner Stockton's pass carries Cash Jones into the end zone to cut Georgia's deficit.
'Absolute disaster!' Georgia devastated by brutal drop
Gunner Stockton heaves one way down the field but Dillon Bell can't come up with it.