Photo: Tom Hauck / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
James Madison head coach Bob Chesney warned all week that upsetting No. 5 Oregon would require a near-perfect performance. On Saturday night, the No. 12 Dukes came up short.
Early mistakes and uneven execution put JMU in a hole it couldn’t escape, as Oregon’s speed and explosiveness proved decisive in a 51–34 loss during the opening round of the College Football Playoff at Autzen Stadium.
Though the Dukes showed flashes of fight—particularly late in the game—they struggled to sustain momentum on both sides of the ball. Still, Chesney emphasized that the defeat does not define a season that reshaped the program’s history.
Chesney said the emotions were overwhelming after the final whistle, noting that he made a point to embrace every player as they left the field. The loss, he said, does not erase what the team accomplished together.
James Madison finished the season 12–2, capturing its first Sun Belt title and first conference championship since moving to the FBS level. The Dukes also secured the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Players echoed their coach’s perspective. Safety Jacob Thomas said the season carried special meaning for veterans who endured a coaching transition and a challenging prior year before breaking through in 2024.
Linebacker Trent Hendrick added that the shared journey of the senior class—arriving together in 2022 and building continuity over four years—made the run especially rare in today’s transfer-heavy college football landscape.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett said the disappointment would fade, but the accomplishments would endure, pointing to JMU’s balance as a top-20 team on both offense and defense and the historic milestones achieved.
Chesney expressed confidence that the program’s ceiling remains high, but he will not lead the next chapter. He is departing for UCLA, ushering in a new era under Billy Napier, who has stated his belief that James Madison’s success can continue.
SOURCE: Jarvis Haren, WHSV3