The 2023 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University as a member of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Curt Cignetti, the Dukes played home games at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia as members of the East division of the Sun Belt Conference. The James Madison Dukes football team drew an average home attendance of 25,372 in 2023.
The season was the final year of a two-year transition from the Football Championship Subdivision. The team was not originally eligible for a bowl game; a request for a waiver was denied by the NCAA in August, and a waiver for relief was also denied in November. However, as there were not enough bowl eligible teams, they were given a berth. JMU was selected to play in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Schedule The football schedule was announced February 24, 2023.
Rankings
Preseason In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Dukes were picked to finish in first place in the East division.
Offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, defensive lineman James Carpenter, and punter Ryan Hanson were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt first team. Linebacker Taurus Jones was named to the second team.
Game summaries vs Bucknell
at Virginia
at Troy
at Utah State
vs South Alabama
Statistics USAJMU First downs 20 15 Total yards 326 377 Rushing yards 3 7 Passing yards 12 6 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 28–50–2 12–22–1 Time of possession 28:46 31:14 Team Category Player StatisticsSouth Alabama Passing Carter Bradley 28/50, 299 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing La'Damian Webb 12 carries, 36 yards, TD Receiving Caullin Lacy 6 receptions, 132 yardsJames Madison Passing Jordan McCloud 12/22, 241 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Jordan McCloud 10 carries, 61 yards Receiving Zach Horton 3 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
vs Georgia Southern
at Marshall
vs Old Dominion
at Georgia State
Statistics JMUGSU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsJames Madison Passing Rushing Receiving Georgia State Passing Rushing Receiving
vs UConn
Statistics Statistics CONNJMU First downs 15 23 Total yards 319 503 Rushing yards 79 46 Passing yards 240 457 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 29:08 30:52 Team Category Player StatisticsUConn Passing Ta'Quan Roberson 20/36, 207 yds Rushing Cam Edwards 12 att, 43 yds Receiving Cameron Ross 4 rec, 91 ydsJames Madison Passing Jordan McCloud 33/37, 457 yds, 4 TDs Rushing Kaelon Black 4 att, 38 yds Receiving Reggie Brown 9 rec, 202 yds, 2 TDs
vs Appalachian State
at Coastal Carolina
Roster
Notes
References