By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
SAN MARCOS — James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III put on a show Tuesday night at UFCU Stadium, throwing for 264 yards and four touchdowns and adding another score on the ground as the Dukes rolled past Texas State 52–20.
The Dukes (7-1, 5-0 Sun Belt) struck quickly, taking a 14–0 lead in the opening quarter. Barnett capped a six-play, 50-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro midway through the first, then Jordan Fuller scored from eight yards out less than four minutes later.
Texas State (3-5, 0-4) responded early in the second quarter when quarterback Brad Jackson connected with Mavin Anderson on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead in half. But JMU’s offense answered with another long drive, as Fuller powered in from three yards for his second touchdown of the night to make it 21–7.
After a Tyler Robles field goal trimmed the deficit to 21–10, the Dukes needed just three plays to go 75 yards — capped by a 14-yard strike from Barnett to Josh Phifer. Jackson punched in a short touchdown run just before halftime, and Robles added a 36-yard field goal at the buzzer to pull Texas State within 28–20 at the break.
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Whatever momentum the Bobcats built vanished almost instantly after halftime.
On the second play of the third quarter, Barnett found DeGennaro streaking down the middle for a 76-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 35–20. From there, JMU’s defense took control, intercepting Jackson three times in the second half.
“(JMU) have done that all year to everybody the’ve played,” said Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne. “We knew that coming in and, it’s really on us, we have to execute better, but give those guys credit.”
Following a pick by Justin Eaglin, Barnett hit Logan Kyle for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 42–20. Minutes later, Xavier Holmes’ interception set up Barnett’s 2-yard rushing touchdown to make it 49–20 heading to the fourth quarter. Morgan Suarez’s 31-yard field goal early in the final period closed the scoring at 52–20.
James Madison finished with 511 yards of total offense, averaging an impressive 8.5 yards per play. Barnett completed 12 of 18 passes and added 98 rushing yards on 10 carries. Fuller ran for 46 yards and two scores, while DeGennaro caught three passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas State managed 352 total yards but struggled with turnovers and consistency. Jackson went 18 of 32 for 230 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, also leading the Bobcats in rushing with 43 yards and a score. Anderson was Jackson’s top target, catching five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
The JMU defense was relentless, forcing four turnovers and recording three sacks. Linebackers Tyler Brown and Trent Hendrick each tallied eight tackles, while defensive lineman Immanuel Bush added a sack and two tackles for loss. For Texas State, Ryan Nolan led with seven tackles and Kenard Snyder had the team’s lone sack.
James Madison returns home next week seeking its sixth straight win, while Texas State will look to regroup before resuming Sun Belt play on the road at Louisiana.
