Ball State found themselves the team made an example of yet again in a hellacious loss to JMU.
The James Madison Dukes (4-0, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference) set the pace from the first snap onwards Saturday afternoon, grinding out 66 yards on 11 plays before scoring a touchdown to take the lead and never look back in a pole-to-pole 63-7 victory over the Ball State Cardinals (1-2, 0-1 Mid-American Conference).
Ball State’s first offensive drive was indicative of the kind of day it was going to be, as Kadin Semonza’s pass to Christian Abney up the seam was tipped and intercepted by Terrence Smith. The Dukes would take that new possession and score a touchdown and two-point conversion on the hapless Cardinals to expand the lead.
On the day, the Dukes scored on every possession that was not the end of a half, with five passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and a pick-six by Eric O’Neill to start the second half summarizing their day.
The Cardinals could never get going, scoring just once in the first quarter. After that connection between Semonza and Tanner Koziol, three of their possessions ended in interceptions, three ended in turnovers-on-down and their last three possessions were punts well after the game was out of hand.
Kadin Semonza finished 22-of-35 for 168 yards and a touchdown, with three interceptions. Aidan Leffler and Kiael Kelly also made appearances at the QB position, combining to go 1-of-3 for five yards through the air.
Braeden Sloan put up an admirable 72 yards on 14 carries, while Tanner Koziol was the lone touchdown on the day for Ball State with nine receptions for 78 yards. Cam Pickett showed once again why he’s earned starting duties at receiver, with eight catches for 53 yards.
Jackson Wiegold led the Cards in total takcles (eight) and solo tackles (six), and also notched a pass break-up form the linebacker position. Sam Feeney picked up two sacks for 17 lost yards to lead the pass rush, with Riley Tolsma collected a half-ending sack.
For the homestanding Dukes, Alonza Barnett Jr. showed his UNC performance wasn’t a fluke, with 280 yards and five touchdowns on 20-of-28 passing. Three JMU rushers eclipsed the 50-yard mark, with Barnett Jr. (10 carries, 60 yards), Jobi Malary (five carries, 50 yards) both scoring once. George Pettaway also had a rushing touchdown, while Wayne Knight led the rushing attack with six carries for 63 yards.
Tight end Taylor Thompson paced the Dukes receiving corps, with five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown— and also had a successful direct snap two-point conversion early in the first quarter. Omarion Dollison (48 yards, touchdown) and Yamir Knight (44 yards, two touchdowns) both had four receptions, while Cam Ross scored a touchdown to go with three catches and 46 yards.
Two Dukes collected two solo sacks each in Khairi Manns and Eric O’Neill, with the latter also notching the team’s defensive score on a 27-yard interception return. Terrance Spence led the team with five tackles— all unassisted— and the first interception tallied.
Ball State gets their second taste of the MAC season this upcoming Saturday, hosting the Western Michigan Broncos at Scheumann Stadium for a game scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
James Madison will next take on Louisiana-Monroe to open their Sun Belt Conference campaign. Kickoff is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday night at 7 p.m. Eastern time.