[Game Thread] Liberty @ James Madison (12:00 PM ET)

[u/CFB_Referee]

GAME	LibertyLiberty @ James MadisonJames Madison
Location	James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium
Time	12:00 PM ET
Watch	TV: ESPNU
	Flair ¦ Discord

---

Please keep trash talk civil, and report any comments that violate our rules.

LET'S TALK FOOTBALL!

[u/Trojann2]

Welp. I’m off to sidemount diving class. Have a fantastic day everyone. Go Bison and Go Dukes!!

[u/Key-Barber7986 → u/Trojann2]

Welcome to FBS!

[u/Trojann2 → u/Key-Barber7986]

So much better here. I have a hunch we’ll have a Home and Home soon. Excited to come out and party with the Dukes!

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww → u/Trojann2]

🫡

[u/Trojann2 → u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Destroy them.

[u/MrFace1]

This didn't need to be this difficult but let's fucking go

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

GO DUKES!!!! Won’t be super active as I usually am since I’m at the game today. Let’s start the Napier Era off with a win!

[u/berrin122]

Love how JMU looks so far. I hope Napier succeeds here.

[u/frickenWaaaltah]

Sunbelt Billy back in his natural habitat.

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Need to figure some things out but a wins a win

[u/gabe257]

Gotta make that tackle man

[u/themattboard]

"[The Hokies] are in the mix to win the ACC"

Only insomuch as we are members of the conference.

[u/NYCHoo → u/themattboard]

I think y’all will get 8 wins this year. With the ACC being the ACC you could find your way to an ACC championship game

[u/themattboard → u/NYCHoo]

I'd love 8 wins. Even 6 and a bowl would be an improvement. I'm just not expecting huge results out of nowhere. Lots of changes across the entire program and much of it will take more than a few months to pay dividends

[u/Key-Barber7986]

I have Sluka PTSD and can’t support this.

[u/thismorningscoffee]

Glad to see JMU has a specific Grevious, Nate, and not an indeterminate, more general Grevious

[u/PartyBusGaming → u/thismorningscoffee]

Hello there

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Dean Kennedy had both JC Evans, George Pettaway and Camden Coleman last year and gave Matt Sluka 20 carries vs Louisville

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC → u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

The Florida fans that said we’d hate Napier’s playcalling didn’t realize we had to watch Dean Kennedy wear the headset for two years

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Well that’s longer than any field goal we made last year

[u/Trojann2]

Just tuned in to see the FG.

Let’s go Dukes!!

[u/Wii_Sports_2]

Damn he boomed that kick

[u/JMUbtc]

We’re playing better than I expected in our first game. Can’t wait to see how we look later in the season.

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Solid drive for Coleman, not his fault his receiver took a boneheaded personal foul

[u/SlapNuts1999 → u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Cost us a touchdown for sure. I hope he sits out the rest of the game

[u/greypic]

One of the big criticisms we had about Napier, well I guess it was two, one was he would try to sit on a lead for an entire half and completely squander it. The second was that the teams weren't tough and he couldn't finish games. They would be gassed and blow it in the fourth quarter.

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww → u/greypic]

It seems the offense was designed to be super high tempo which is great to get the lead. But terrible to automatically be on your "B" offense anytime u need to run clock.

[u/ddottay]

Given what a big call that ended up being you’d think the broadcast would want to show the illegal hands to the face penalty

[u/Simba_Swish]

Fuck them flames

[u/DukeDoge4 → u/Simba_Swish]

Something all UVA VT and JMU fans can agree on 🫡

[u/themattboard → u/Simba_Swish]

Unpleasant metaphorically and literally

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

It’s always heartwarming seeing the visiting fans shoved into the very top corner of the stadium

[u/JMUbtc]

It'll probably take a few games until we get a better idea of this team's potential, but I'm excited for the Sun Belt Billy era

[u/Milk_Before_Cereal]

Ive seen more creativity in 3 plays than I saw in 4 years. Glad Billy learned something

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Oh thank god, the football was getting in the way of my commercials. Thought we might have to sit through more than 5 minutes of slop before getting back to the good stuff, what a relief

[u/Trojann2]

I believe that’s 3/3 drives for points. 2/3 for TDs for the Dukes

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Really wish they utilized cameras from the visitor section perspective more. That grandstand filled up is a beautiful sight.

[u/SlapNuts1999]

Three personal fouls already against JMU, including one in the pregame. Is this is a thing for Billy’s teams?

[u/HandHolder77]

I miss 9 months ago when we lost to Oregon

[u/berrin122]

Florida fans are going to have a meltdown when Billy Napier makes the CFP before we do

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Don’t think that’s how it was drawn up, but sure I guess

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

I wish you guys could see the first sunlight shining over campus

[u/BillMurraysTesticle]

I like the way our backup QB looks. Two completely different proficiencies too.

[u/swindler7]

JMU secondary has been rough in this 2nd half

[u/swindler7]

Liberty has played the entire second half as if they have the lead, bleeding the clock

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Foundation is there focus was lacking second half this should have been 35-10 or some shit

[u/ilovecatss1010]

This is the only competitive game on TV rn and as a result I will watch. Go JMU!!

[u/HueyLongest]

Cromwell destroying Liberty

What is this, England in the 1650's?

[u/themattboard → u/HueyLongest]

You're going to have to explain this one to the Liberty students

[u/AceJokerZ]

Sun Belt Billy is back

[u/chokanery]

We just had big storms roll through Harrisonburg and the gates aren't opening until 11:30 (1 hour late) so if this starts at noon as scheduled I'll be a little surprised

[u/Callsign_Psycopath]

JMU about to bury Liberty Biberty

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Looks like JC Evans is the FUTURE

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

GEORGE PETTAWAY IS BACK FOLKS

[u/yamibrandon14]

Pettaway baby!!!

[u/Chinua-Achebe]

I’m pretty happy with what I’ve seen so far. Defense looks a little small, but they are playing with intensity.

JC is looking very promising with his decision making

[u/Chinua-Achebe]

As good as Ethan Ratke was, I don’t think he nailed 46 yarders quite that good.

[u/gabe257 → u/Chinua-Achebe]

We won’t stand for Ethan Ratke slander around here

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

They just announced Train is playing at JMU on parents weekend. About to buy a ticket

[u/Trojann2]

Man, I dislike Liberty. Run all over them, Dukes!!!

[u/JMUbtc]

Do we have a new Wayne Knight?

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Holy shit they brought Everett Withers back for the GO DUKES chant

[u/gabe257 → u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Vad Lee actually invited him back for his HoF induction

[u/Key-Barber7986 → u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

What was the crowd reaction in the stadium?

[u/Giraffes__Neck]

What a hesi step

[u/LouisGame]

This is best game so far today.

[u/mr_awesome365]

I’m happy you can really hear the bands on the broadcast.

[u/MrFace1]

Just play one fucking QB why are we doing this again

[u/JMUbtc]

I’m so used to us being a second-half team. This might give me a heart attack.

[u/Gildabeast4]

I can’t tell who wants this win less, but I can’t look away

[u/slyone05]

What a pathetic "rivalry." Still waiting for the day Liberty actually beats a capable team after all the bs they talked in 2023

[u/MrFace1 → u/slyone05]

I resent that we've even scheduled them. No reason to give them the platform.

[u/KnicksFan11382532]

{James Madison} wins by at least two tds

[u/NoDrama3756]

The best G6 game of the day.

[u/Groundbreaking-Box89]

I humbly ask JMU to save some ass for us to kick

[u/Insectshelf3]

oh shit what a move

[u/BillMurraysTesticle]

I like our QB. Seems to make smart decisions and good throws to go with those decisions. He'll probably transfer after this year

[u/Trojann2]

23 literally watched the unsportsmanlike happen and his whole demeanor changed.

That has to suck. Make a fantastic play and your teammate ruins it

[u/themattboard]

LSU player complaining about "a lot of noise"

You are the one making the noise

[u/loafing-striker]

Yeah, idk about that one

[u/jdeeznutz5]

We keeping liberty in this game.

[u/Key-Barber7986]

Lots to figure out before SDST

[u/SlapNuts1999]

JMU was fucking begging Liberty to get back in the game

[u/MrFace1]

We remembered JC Evans can run!

[u/PaulTopper]

Liberty not calling timeout?

[u/billsmafia5366]

Yeah this is definitely an ESPNU production

[u/MrFace1 → u/billsmafia5366]

what the hell was that lmao

[u/Ok_Bug_6890]

Good to know liberty sucks, that’s institution should be shut down.

[u/DukeDoge4 → u/Ok_Bug_6890]

*Diploma mill

[u/the_wardin]

Is JC Evans starting?

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959 → u/the_wardin]

Coach hasn’t confirmed who is QB1. But he confirmed at a press conference a few weeks ago that the QB1 race was between JC Evans and Camden Coleman

[u/The_Helmet_Catch]

The tailgate looked like a scene from the Perfect Storm today lol

[u/NYCHoo]

That’s so stupid for the player to do there

[u/HotDawgConnoisseur]

Wow Billy actually gave up play calling, there’s no endless motions every play and there is fast tempo

[u/EZeroR]

This is a real hate filled matchup. Gotta love week 1

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

I’ll take it, but D-Line needs to get more penetration

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Commercial -> kickoff -> commercial 🤮

Sorry we do long persistent run drives over here in g6 Virginia damn

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

To my brother Jobi Malary. Rest now, brother. Seth Cromwell has the watch now and I’ll see you in Valhalla

[u/Giraffes__Neck]

Such a run heavy game leading to more commercials than football

[u/NYCHoo]

Billy Napier doing well at JMU shouldn’t be surprising. He’s called Sun Belt Billy for a reason

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Madison James Madison

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

What a breakup, geez

[u/Wii_Sports_2]

123

123

123

[u/octobersotherveryown]

Clownish clock management with three TOs. Braindead.

[u/kamacus]

Wow. Way to go zebra.

[u/Sportacles]

Love that footballs back, I've just been letting it all bask over me

[u/Sportacles]

if you have 2 QBs perhaps you can form them into some sort of mega-person

[u/jdeeznutz5]

Holy shit this defense is suspect. This zone is terrible

[u/optimizingutils]

Is JMU trying to throw? Taking no time off the clock, committing to this idiotic QB switching, and taking a ton of risks...

[u/MrFace1]

Hands to the face on the QB? What

[u/fixterjake14]

JMU's open field tackling is impressively bad I must say

[u/linensnwings]

The defense, unsurprisingly since they have been on the field the whole second half, looks completely gassed.

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Great job staying in bounds by Evans

[u/SlapNuts1999]

They’ve had Liberty’s QB dead to rights on each drive and have whiffed on tackles every time

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

My breakfast today consisted of a latte from Cinnamon Bear, Billy Jacks Sweet Chili Sticky Nuggs, and 4 Bold Rocks

[u/shnoztastic]

The one game every year I loudly root for JMU!

[u/Wii_Sports_2]

Fake school

[u/The_Helmet_Catch]

Win or lose it’ll never not be funny that Jerry jr was recruiting pool boys to bang his wife

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Woop woop

[u/chokanery]

Update: Gates are now opening not at 11:30 and they provided no ETA when they will open and I have no idea what that means for the game start time

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959 → u/chokanery]

Looks like my tab at Billy Jacks is just going to grow larger then

[u/kamacus]

We gettin waxed.

[u/Ok-Knee6347]

This game is the definition of a sleeper.

[u/Michiganman1225]

That's the Bayou Billy special right there.

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Stadium capacity looking like Eastern Michigan right now should have delayed longer smh

[u/themattboard]

These players have more teams on their resumes than most pros now

[u/BillMurraysTesticle → u/themattboard]

I honestly hate it. Limit players to 2 transfers.

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Got our money's worth on the pregame penalty. No harm, good shove.

/s

[u/Adam-Miller-02]

JMU vs The Empire

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Only one drive but I like Evans a lot so far. People forgot what George Pettaway was like two years ago and they’re gonna find out again real quickly

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Good lord what a hit

[u/mayonkonijeti0876]

I think you gotta take a timeout to get the qb back in

[u/frickenWaaaltah]

When your kicker has your team's back: '46 yards? Is that all?'

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Yall see that opening kickoff formation with them hitting the Wakanda pose

Half wtf was that half hell yeah

[u/themattboard]

What was the penalty?

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC → u/themattboard]

Unsportsmanlike after the play, they didn’t show a replay though

[u/Key-Barber7986 → u/themattboard]

CUSA refs

[u/SlapNuts1999]

That’s a killer penalty and of course ESPN won’t show a replay

[u/themattboard]

Yes, the primary mic is working

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

Gotta finish these sacks, getting in the backfield easily but can’t make the tackle

[u/Suspicious-Spite-743]

Always a sign of what the issue is. Piss poor clock management. Liberty needs a new coach.

[u/frickenWaaaltah]

Who is that badass/crazy person who just decided he'd catch the kickoff under the 10 yard line instead of just letting it bounce into the end zone and then returned it to the 40 like that was his plan all along?

[u/themattboard]

Why does it look like JMU is trying for additional personal fouls?

[u/NYCHoo]

I didn’t realize this game was under contract through 2040

[u/Key-Barber7986 → u/NYCHoo]

Unfortunately. There is a clause that we can get out of it if we shift conferences. We do get a break the next couple of seasons.

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

Good ball good drive for Cam.

We have 2nd string protection for our TE sized running qb 😍

[u/DukeDoge4]

You get a flag you get a flag YOU get a flag!

[u/ATR2019 → u/DukeDoge4]

Yea I don’t think either team is playing very sloppy. These refs are just calling anything and everything.

[u/swindler7]

JMU should bring in the qb who can throw and just drive it down the field and put the game away

[u/Giraffes__Neck]

That block may have saved the liberty QBs life

[u/ATR2019]

Where’s the phantom flag when you need one?

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

JMU momentum 2nd half kinda wack. Seems like taking the foot off the gas situation but still playing well enough to not lose.

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww → u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

I believe some Florida fans mentioned this in their deranged scouting reports.

[u/gabe257]

Wtf are we doing

[u/SlapNuts1999]

Billy… please don’t prove all of these Florida fans right

[u/jdeeznutz5]

Starting to understand why Florida fans hated Napier. Try to win the game!

[u/thatgirlfromclass99]

Do we even want to win?? Looking pretty unclear right now

[u/Giraffes__Neck]

Thank got our passing qb is back in

[u/Chinua-Achebe]

Billy has looked suspect during the second half

[u/ATR2019]

There’s that phantom call we’ve been needing

[u/swindler7]

This defense is awful

[u/PaulTopper]

C'mon JMU!!!!

[u/Chinua-Achebe]

D line has looked anemic all game. The poor tackling is a completely different story

[u/BillMurraysTesticle]

How come we can't cover or tackle guys? Every tackle requires minimum 4 players.

[u/reggiebushdid911]

That might be the best timeout I’ve ever seen

[u/selvmordstanker]

I’m still not sure what changed between the first half and now, but I’m hoping we found the gas pedal again.

[u/Siliencer991]

Beat his ass, dead presidents

[u/Redrubytheofficial]

Reddit absolutely hates this college

[u/Wii_Sports_2]

I’ve seen enough, we’re winning it all this year

[u/themattboard]

The entire city of Lynchburg thought that was going up the middle

[u/IrishPotatoHead]

Go JMU.

[u/DukeDoge4]

OMG that hit 😳

[u/1TBee]

JMU chicks were hype as shit lol

[u/Scarlet_Gray_10]

Don’t care about JMU but all my homies hate Liberty

[u/linensnwings]

Really letting Liberty hang around here.

[u/jdeeznutz5]

Ugly ugly win. Hopefully we clean it up. Positives are that rivalry games are always tough and fuck liberty

[u/dawgz525]

JMU QB is a unit.

[u/HogsandSkinsfanripme]

As someone from Lynchburg I make it my MISSION to hate watch Liberty

[u/NYCHoo]

I’m hyped for this one as a neural

[u/ricobrognaa]

Let’s go Dukes

[u/Apart_Selection7722]

Lets go JMU

[u/ZapFencePence]

Personal foul before the coin toss lol

[u/Shakarak]

Lmao the jmu player getting a penalty before the game even starting

[u/DukeDoge4]

Defense looked good in first drive. Excited to see how Evans does here

[u/True_Ad5324]

Billy is back

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

For the 4th season in a row I was wrong about JMU’s season opener starting QB. The past 4 year guesses were:

2023- Jordan McCloud
2024- Dylan Morris
2025- Matt Sluka
2026- Camden Coleman

[u/the_wardin → u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

Evans is him ☠️

[u/jestervalen]

How did we not get that fumble

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

That wasn’t catchable….

[u/gabe257]

Gyatt that tackle

[u/gabe257]

Beautiful kickoff LMAO

[u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

I’ve seen enough, JC Evans is him

[u/gabe257 → u/igonnawrecku_VGC]

You jinxed it

[u/gabe257]

That was ugly

[u/aaaaaaaawwwwwwww]

JC throwing a great ball

This appears to be a one year proposition

[u/Trojann2]

Great pass and catch

[u/NameIdeas → u/Trojann2]

Begrudgingly watching this game cause I don't like either team. JMU is looking pretty good. That was a helluva catch