Marshall University Athletics
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Marshall Football Heads Down I-64 To Take On JMU
10/1/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
Thundering Herd looking to snap Dukes’ lengthy SBC streak
Coach Gibson Weekly Press Conference – James Madison | Player Interviews – JMU
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football travels down I-64 East into Virginia this weekend to start Sun Belt Conference play against defending SBC champ James Madison in a 3:45 p.m. game shown nationally by ESPNU from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Watch: ESPNU
Listen: Live
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Game notes: Marshall | JMU
Twitter: @HerdFB
Instagram: @Herd_FB
PRE-GAME NOTES
Marshall comes into the contest having won its last three games with all wins coming by one score or less in games down to the wire.
Since conference realignment in 2022, either Marshall or James Madison have finished atop the SBC East Division standings in each season.
Herd quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson accounted for 461 total yards in last week's win over Gardner-Webb – tied for 10th most in a single game in Marshall history.
James Madison has won 10 straight games against SBC competition, counting last season's 2025 SBC Championship game. Their last loss was a 2024 home loss to Marshall.
Since joining the Sun Belt in 2022, James Madison is 13-3 overall at home in league games. Marshall is responsible for 2 of those 3 losses.
ABOUT MARSHALL
Marshall comes into Saturday's contest at Bridgeforth Stadium with a 3-1 record after rallying late for a 36-35 win over Gardner-Webb.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson threw for a career-high 413 yards while rushing for another 48 and accounting for three touchdowns in the win. Del Rio-Wilson connected with wide receiver Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw seven times for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Defensively, the Herd got a strong effort from interior defensive lineman Kenyatta Hardge, who had seven tackles and a pass breakup from his spot within the line.
Safety Caleb Clark-Glover is currently No. 6 in FBS in solo tackles with 25 and is No. 3 in the SBC in tackles with 35.
Kicker Jorge Diaz Nicolas has six field goals in the last two weeks after hitting another three against Gardner-Webb. Last week, he connected on a 54-yarder – a career-high – and a 32-yard game-winner with three seconds left. He is 6-for-8 on the season.
For a more in-depth look at Marshall football, visit HERE.
ABOUT JAMES MADISON
James Madison got its 2026 Sun Belt Conference slate off to a strong start with a 46-20 dismantling of rival Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va., last week.
The Dukes are currently 4-0 on the season under 1st-year coach Billy Napier, who is no stranger to the SBC after having served as Louisiana's head coach prior to a stint at Florida.
JMU's offense is led by Cam Coleman, who shined in last week's win over ODU, finishing the game with four touchdown passes and starting the game by completing 14 of his first 15 throws.
Defensively, the Dukes feature linebacker Nakian Jackson, who currently leads the team with 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
For more information about James Madison, click HERE.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the seventh all-time meeting between the schools. Marshall owns a 4-2 advantage in the series that began in 1987 in the I-AA days. Since both teams joined the Sun Belt Conference prior to the 2022 season, the road team has won each contest.
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