Postgame Notes from App State's Win vs. JMU

POSTGAME NOTES: App State 34, James Madison 31 (OT)
 
App State improved to 5-2 on the season, its best record through seven games since starting 5-2 in 2021.
 
The Mountaineers' last two overtime games have both resulted in three-point wins against the Dukes. The 2023 matchup was a 26-23 App State win in Harrisonburg when JMU came into that contest with a 10-0 record and ranked No. 18 in the nation.
 
App State improved to 8-11 all-time in overtime games with its second straight OT win.
 
The Mountaineers are 15-6 all-time against JMU, with a 3-2 record as FBS opponents and now a 9-3 advantage in Boone.
 
This was the first time App State walked off with a win on a field goal since Michael Hughes' game-winning 54-yarder at ULM in 2023.
 
Other than the 55-3 season-opening win against Maine, all of App State's 2026 games have been one-score affairs inside the final two minutes of regulation.
 
The Mountaineers are now 47-25 all-time when playing on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
 
Attendance for the sold-out Thursday night crowd at The Rock was 33,322.
 
OFFENSE
 
Team captain Malachi Singleton, a week after missing the second half at Coastal Carolina due to injury, led App State to victory by completing 26 of 40 passes for 271 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His second-quarter touchdown pass to Alexander Sanchez brought the Mountaineers to within one score at 14-10. With 13:15 left in the fourth quarter, his 5-yard strike to Chris Lofton and subsequent 2-point conversion throw to Sam Pickett III tied the game at 21-21.
 
Nate Branch and Pickett each had six catches to lead the receiving corps. Branch went for 73 yards and Pickett 63, while freshman tight end Jamel Howse had a season-high five grabs for 49 yards.
 
Henry Hasselbeck and Luke Douglas connected on a 4-yard touchdown that gave App State its first lead of the game at 31-24 with 5:52 left in regulation. It was the first collegiate touchdown for Douglas, a Florida State transfer in his junior year.
 
Jaquari Lewis led the rushing attack for the sixth time in seven games with 74 yards on 13 carries, while adding a 6-yard catch.
 
DEFENSE
 
Team captain Colton Phares led all players with a career-high 13 tackles, including a TFL, and broke up a pass. But his most impactful play was a leaping interception with just over six minutes remaining in regulation that he returned 21 yards to set up a short go-ahead touchdown drive.
 
After topping 100 tackles and picking off three passes a year ago, he's up to 51 tackles, two interceptions, 5.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and four PBUs this season.
 
Ja'Den McBurrows only had two tackles in the stat books, but his 11-yard TFL was a big one on JMU's first offensive play in overtime.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
James London had a perfect night, and App State needed all the points generated from his strong right leg. The senior from Miami, Fla. (by way of Murray State and Pitt) made all four of his field goal attempts, capped by the game-winning 40-yarder in OT. He was also true from 48 (tied a season high), 27 and 36. He connected on both of his PATs, while all five of his kickoffs went for touchbacks to successfully keep the ball out of dynamic JMU returner Michael Scott's hands.
 
London's performance was the fourth time in App State history that a kicker made at least four field goals without a miss. The previous such occasions were in 2011, 1988 and 1987.
 
On the other end, JMU kicker Morgan Suarez went 1-for-3, with Ricky Lolohea blocking JMU's first field goal attempt and Suarez' overtime try clanging off the left upright.