App State overtime FG stuns James Madison

BOONE – James London’s fourth field goal of the game Thursday night lifted App State over previously unbeaten James Madison 37-34 in overtime.

The Mountaineers, playing before a full house of 32,000-plus at Kidd-Brewer Stadium and before a national television audience, made a big defensive play in overtime that paved the way for London’s big kick.

A year ago, James Madison demolished App State 58-10 on route to an unbeaten regular season and College Football Playoff appearance.

App State head coach Dowell Loggains said his players had that 2025 experience in mind Thursday night.

“They remembered that game,” Loggains told a national TV audience after the game. “It was an unbelievable response, and I’m so proud of these guys.”

The visiting Dukes (7-1, 4-1 Sun Belt) had leads of 14-3 and 21-13, but App State (5-2, 2-1) kept battling back.

A defensive play in overtime went a long way toward settling the outcome.

James Madison got the ball first in overtime, and App State made a huge play on first down, as Jayden McBurrows sacked quarterback J.C. Evans for a 13-yard loss at the 39.  The Dukes moved the ball to the 30, but a 47-yard field goal try by Suarez hit the left upright.

App State then ran two plays before London’s game-winning kick.

Down 21-13 to start the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers tied the game with 13:15 left on a 5-yard pass from Malachi Singleton to Chris Lofton.  A Singleton pass on the two-point conversion knotted the score at 21-all.

James Madison went up 24-21 on a career-long 47-yard field goal by Morgan Suarez with 9:19 left, but App State tied it with 6:16 to play on a 36-yard kick by London.

On the Dukes’ next possession, App State’s Colton Phares picked off a Camden Coleman pass and returned it to the James Madison 14.  On the Mountaineers’ second play, Henry Hasselbeck connected with Luke Douglas on a 4-yard touchdown pass and a 31-24 lead with 5:52 to play.

But the Dukes weren’t through.  They drove 71 yards and scored with three seconds left on a 6-yard run by Camden.

The Dukes had a chance to win the game by going for a two-point conversion, but head coach Billy Napier chose to kick and tie.

“It was like we had the momentum," he said. "We had come back and tied it up. That'll be one that I'll be thinking about, for sure."

Loggains played two quarterbacks, with Singleton getting most of the action. He completed 26-of-40 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.  Hasselbeck completed 3-of-4 throws for 14 yards and a touchdown.