JMU’s Heartbreaking First Loss of Season Was Decided by Literal Inches
Unranked Appalachian State upset AP No. 18 James Madison 26–23 in overtime on Saturday afternoon thanks to a thrilling game-winning play.
The Dukes trailed most of regulation, and appeared to be down to their final possession of the game. Trailing 20–12, James Madison converted on a miraculous fourth-and-18 play to keep the game alive with 1:22 to go.
On the very next play, Dukes quarterback Jordan McCloud connected with Elijah Sarratt for an 11-yard touchdown with 57 seconds to play to draw James Madison within two. On the ensuing play, McCloud went right back to Sarratt on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 20.
James Madison converted a 4th and 18 with a ridiculous catch.
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 18, 2023
Then they scored a touchdown with less than a minute left.
And then converted the 2 point conversion to tie the game.pic.twitter.com/kqDzEnuEyW
The game would go to overtime, where James Madison took possession first and settled for a field goal to take a 23–20 lead.
On the ensuing Appalachian State possession, Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar found wide receiver Kaedin Robinson on third-and-goal from the 8-yard line, who fought for the goal line and appeared to fumble out of the end zone.
If ruled a touchback, James Madison would have escaped with a 23–20 victory. However, after video review, it was determined that Robinson broke the plane of the goal line before losing the football, and the play was ruled a touchdown.
Appalachian State pulls off the road upset in OT, scoring just before a fumble that would've saved JMU's undefeated season. pic.twitter.com/dhHyOUuFvG
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) November 18, 2023
Appalachian State ruined James Madison’s perfect season, and pulled off the unlikely upset in Harrisonburg, Va..
With the loss, James Madison fell to 10–1 on the season, and 6–1 in the Sun Belt, while Appalachian State improved to 7–4 on the year and 5–2 in Sun Belt play.