James Madison shocks North Carolina at home
Over 1,200 yards of total offense and 120 points. James Madison rolled into Chapel Hill and shocked the Tar Heels 70-50 in one of the most chaotic games you will ever watch.
This game had a little bit of everything. The Dukes scored the first touchdown of the game on a blocked punt, before North Carolina responded with two touchdowns of its own, taking an early 14-11 lead in the first quarter. This would be the Tar Heels last lead of the game.
SPECIAL. TEAMS.#GoDukes
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) September 21, 2024
JMU quarterback Alonza Barnett III was unstoppable to start the game, tallying three touchdowns through the air and two on the ground in the first 30 minutes. The Dukes capped off the first half with a 33-yard pick-six from Terrence Spence, his first of two on the day.
The Tar Heels trailed 53-21 at the break as the Dukes set a program record for most points scored in one half. North Carolina could not take care of the football, recording three total turnovers before the break.
UNC found a little bit of life in the third quarter, putting together a touchdown drive and responding quickly with a blocked punt for a score of its own. But the Tar Heels dug themselves too deep of a hole in the first half, still trailing 60-38 after 14 unanswered points.
Scoop n Score on the blocked punt. #CarolinaFootball pic.twitter.com/sUPvbQzz2R
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 21, 2024
Barnett finished with 388 yards in the air and five touchdowns and also tallied 99 yards on the ground, adding two more touchdowns. All five of Barnett’s passing touchdowns were to different receivers, as he broke the program record for most touchdowns in one game by a JMU quarterback (7).
UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns, and star running back Omarion Hampton rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns. North Carolina out-gained the Dukes 616-611 yards, and if it weren’t for crucial turnovers, the Tar Heels would’ve been firmly in this game.
James Madison handed UNC (3-1) its first loss of the season, and the Dukes improved to 3-0. The Tar Heels will look to bounce back in a rivalry game against Duke next week.
Clemson rolls over a floundering NC State squad
No. 21 Clemson dominated NC State in the first ACC game of the season for both programs. The Tigers got out to a 28-0 lead behind three passing touchdowns from quarterback Cade Klubnik. By halftime, Clemson led 45-7.
Clemson handled business in all facets of the game, forcing two fumbles, a missed field goal and returning an interception for a touchdown. By the time the clock struck triple zeros, Clemson finished atop the scoreboard 59-28.
Since only putting up three points against Georgia in Week 1, Clemson’s offense has come to life with today’s 59-point performance following a 66-point outing in Week 2. Meanwhile, NC State’s defense has allowed 50-plus points against a ranked opponent for the second time in as many games this season.
Things won’t get any easier for the Wolfpack either; No. 23 Northern Illinois — which has a ranked win over Notre Dame this season — comes to town next week.
Ohio State showcases playmakers in win versus Marshall
No. 3 Ohio State took over at Ohio Stadium, defeating Marshall, 49-14, to extend its early-season undefeated streak.
Marshall struck first with an opening drive capped by a 1-yard rushing touchdown from running back Ethan Payne. However, Ohio State wasted no time responding, as quarterback Will Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka on a 68-yard bomb, tying the game within the first quarter.
The Buckeyes came out the gates firing in the second quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points and showcasing their powerful run game. Marshall managed to find some late-half momentum with a touchdown pass to Elijah Metcalf, trimming the deficit to 24-14.
Ohio State kept up the pressure in the second half, with TreVeyon Henderson leading the charge on a 40-yard touchdown run. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith joined the scoring frenzy, taking it all the way home for a 53-yard touchdown and closing out the third, 42-14.
The Buckeyes put up another touchdown in the fourth by Quinshon Judkins and kept Marshall from scoring.
The Thundering Heard couldn’t keep up with the Buckeyes’ offense, powered by the duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who showed off their strong run game. The duo totaled 20 carries, 249 yards and four touchdowns.
Will Howard remains a force to be reckoned with for Ohio State, racking up 275 yards and scoring two touchdowns in today’s game.
Now 3-0, Ohio State turns its attention to a road game against Michigan State. The Spartans have had a clean slate so far, but they’ll first have to take on Boston College, who slipped from the top 25 after a tough loss to Missouri in Week 3.
Marshall, meanwhile, will look to bounce back next week when they host Western Michigan. A home crowd might be just the edge they need to rebound after this tough defeat.