CONWAY, S.C. — Alonza Barnett III threw three touchdown passes, Jobi Malary ran for 154 yards a score, and No. 20 James Madison completed an unbeaten regular season with a 59-10 victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
JMU (11-1, 8-0) will host Troy in the Sun Belt title game Friday night at Bridgeforth Stadium. If the Dukes win that, they would retain hopes of qualifying for the College Football Playoff.
“What I’m proud of is just how quickly they came together and their ability to play and act as a team, and to be undefeated in Year 2 in Sun Belt play is obviously a feather in a lot of these guys’ cap,” coach Bob Chesney said. “That’s something that nobody can take away from you for the rest of your life.”
The Dukes have won 10 straight.
“Obviously, there’s bigger goals out there, but this is a good way to end the regular season,” Chesney said.
Dukes linebacker Trent Hendrick took to social media to send a message to the fan base back home.
“What’s going on JMU nation?,” Hendrick said. “Fresh off a ‘W’ and headed back Harrisonburg. Getting ready for Troy this week. We got a big one. We gotta pack it out. Go Dukes!”
Leading by 10 at halftime, the Dukes took control in the second half by scoring five touchdowns for their fifth straight victory over the Chanticleers. JMU has outscored Coastal Carolina 201-38 since joining the Sun Belt.
JMU had a 525-170 yards advantage, holding Coastal to minus-5 yards rushing. Coastal Carolina (6-6, 5-3) failed to gain a yard rushing for the first time in school history.
Barnett was 15 of 21 for 207 yards and ran for 31 yards and a score, and backup Matthew Sluka completed his only attempt for a 32-yard touchdown pass to Michael Scott. Malary had a 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 45-10.
“His running style is impressive — the physicality and pad level is low,” Chesney said. “His knees never stop churning and he is just tough to bring down.”
Tad Hudson was 16 of 38 for 148 yards and a touchdown for Coastal Carolina. He also threw a fourth-quarter interception that KJ Flowe scored on.
Wayne Knight ran for 85 yards to help the Dukes roll up 286 on the ground.
Braeden Wisloski caught four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, Nick DeGennaro had three receptions for 47 yards, plus a two-point conversion, and Lacota Dippre and Isaiah Alston and also caught touchdown passes.
The Dukes are the seventh Sun Belt squad to finish conference play 8-0.