James Madison Takes Care of Business, Wins Sun Belt Championship

The next conference championship game on deck is between the Troy Trojans and the James Madison Dukes.

It starts similar to the Conference USA championship game. Teams go back and forth with punts until the 1:55 mark in the first quarter, where Morgan Suarez converts a 40-yard field goal for James Madison. If you like offense, this is where the fun began.

Photo by @JMUFootball

Troy scores a touchdown early in the second quarter behind a one-yard rush by Goose Crowder. James Madison has an instant response. Wayne Knight (who is up there as one of the best running backs in the country) rushes it in the end zone from 73 yards out. A few punts happen, then the offenses score again.

The Dukes' lead goes up to 10 as Alonza Barnett III passes 26 yards to Braeden Wisloski for the touchdown. Tae Meadows will get Troy's final touchdown in the game two yards out. The halftime score is 17-14, James Madison.

Photo by @JMUFootball

A few bad drives by James Madison give Troy hope, but the Trojans could not convert off a JMU interception and a JMU fumble. Other than that, not much happened in the third. Alonza Barnett III puts the dagger in as he rushes into the end zone from 26 yards out with 4:11 left in the game. And for good measure, around a minute later, Drew Spinogatti returns a fumble to the house.

James Madison holds Troy to 177 total yards (-26 rushing yards) and wins 31-14. Congrats to the Dukes as they have won the Sun Belt Conference Championship.