Last Updated on November 16, 2025 9:56 am
HARRISONBURG, Va. — App State Football wrapped up its 2025 road schedule with a 58-10 loss at No. 24 James Madison on Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium.The Mountaineers fell to 3-4 in their last seven games against ranked opponents, getting their first points on a 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter from Dominic De Freitas, who has four conversions from more than 45 yards this season. Davion Dozier hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass in the final two minutes from backup quarterback JJ Kohl, who entered the lineup after starter AJ Swann was transported off the field with a lower-body injury.Caleb Sandstrom's early tip of a pass triggered the first takeaway of the game, an interception by Dylan Manuel, while Sandstrom, Rondo Porter and Colton Phares both had one sack apiece for App State (4-6, 1-5 Sun Belt).The Mountaineers are back in action next weekend with a home game against Marshall at 2:30 p.m. It will be Black Saturday and Heroes Day at Kidd Brewer Stadium, and the 2005 national championship team will be celebrated.App State made the first big play of Saturday's game, with a second early pass deflection from Sandstrom setting up a can-of-corn interception for an awaiting Manuel.Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, DJ Barksdale brushed off two block attempts and intercepted a wide receiver screen in JMU territory four plays later to precede a four-play, 46-yard touchdown drive. A 42-yard completion after App State's primary defender collided with an official set up Wayne Knight's 1-yard touchdown run.The Dukes (9-1, 7-0) added a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter, moving into scoring range despite a second-down sack for a 14-yard loss by Porter but settling for three points following Phares' sack on a second-down play from the 14.JMU forced a three-and-out punt and extended its lead to 17-0 with a six-play, 62-yard touchdown drive highlighted by Knight's 41-yard run to the 1 after he was seemingly bottled up close to the line of scrimmage. A fourth-and-1 false start from near midfield sent App State's punting unit onto the field with under six minutes left in the half, and JMU moved ahead 24-0 with 1:26 remaining on Alonza Barnett III's sneak to cap a 10-play, 70-yard march.The Dukes regained possession 22 seconds later via a three-and-out punt and added a 38-yard field goal as time expired, taking a 27-0 lead to the locker room as App State was shut out in a first half for the first time since it trailed 17-0 in a 23-20 win at Idaho in 2017.A three-and-out stop and unsuccessful fake punt to open the second half gave JMU a short field for a 24-yard touchdown drive that increased the margin to 34-0. The Dukes led 37-0 entering the fourth quarter and were ahead 44-0 before De Freitas ended the shutout bid.
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