Texas State football has led its opponent heading into the final quarter of each of its past three losses. The Bobcats have been favored in every game so far, and they’ve been upset in some incredible games.
But Tuesday against James Madison, Texas State is returning to underdog status. The Dukes lead the Sun Belt East and are undefeated in conference play. It’s the top-scoring defense in the conference, having allowed 15 touchdowns this year, seven fewer than Troy, second best.
The Bobcats’ offense, led by head coach GJ Kinne, is still as sharp as ever, scoring 36.1 points per game. Quarterback Brad Jackson has recorded eight rushing touchdowns, 1,786 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns on a 69.7% completion rate. However, JMU will be his toughest test yet.
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Here are Texas State’s keys to victory over JMU.
MORE: How Brad Jackson’s high school freshman season led to success with Texas State football
Stop the run
James Madison running back Wayne Knight leads one of the most efficient ground attacks in the Sun Belt. He’s the conference’s second leading rusher with 611 yards, but is averaging 6.6 yards per rush. As a team, the Dukes have 1,706 rush yards through seven games.
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So, the first order of business is to prevent JMU from getting its ground game into a rhythm. Although Texas State’s defense as a whole has been below average, it’s been stout against the run, allowing 4.3 yards per carry. Linebackers Ayden Jones and Treylin Payne are the Bobcats’ two highest-rated run defenders according to Pro Football Focus.
JMU quarterback Alonza Barnett III is coming off his best game of the year against Old Dominion, but has been inconsistent, recording completion rates lower than 60% against Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Texas State should force JMU to try to beat them through the pass game and take the offense away from what it’s bread and butter.
Texas State running back Greg Burrell (9) runs the ball during the game against Eastern Michigan at Texas State University on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Start fast and don’t let up
The Dukes are a strong closing team, having won two of their last three games via a second-half comeback. The reason they were down in the second half in the first place, though, is because JMU has developed a habit of getting off to slow starts — especially on the road.Â
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JMU’s most confounding game of the year came in a visit to Georgia State. Against the basement dwellers in the Sun Belt East, the Dukes scraped by 14-7, recording 74 passing yards and 211 rushing yards.
For all its faults, Texas State has been great at jumping out to early leads. It’s led at halftime of every game played this season, aside from its loss to Arizona State. That’ll be even more important against the Dukes, but keeping it up in the second half will be just as crucial.
MORE: Why have GJ Kinne, Texas State football had trouble with October football?
Get Lincoln Pare, Greg Burrell going again
When Marshall held Texas State‘s potent rushing attack to 2.59 yards per carry, the responsibility of the offense fell on Jackson’s arm. He responded with his best passing performance of his young career passing for 444 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
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JMU is even better against the run than Marshall, allowing 74.3 yards per contest. But Texas State can’t continue to ask Jackson to carry the whole offense against the best defense in the Sun Belt.
Kinne said Friday the Bobcats need to play a “near perfect” game to beat the Dukes. The coach also preaches a “balanced” offense. It’s time for running backs Lincoln Pare, Greg Burrell and the offensive line to answer the call.
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