James Madison holds off Liberty, 20-13
One score, all night. The plays that put James Madison ahead for good.
Hold your breath — it earned it. James Madison holds off Liberty, 20-13 at Bridgeforth Stadium. It stayed within one score late, and James Madison made the plays down the stretch. JC Evans threw for 61 yards on nine attempts with one touchdown and ran nine times for 69 yards.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The plays that turned it
It came down to a few snaps. Seth Cromwell's 51-yard run on 2nd-and-7 at Q2 04:50. Then Deshawn Purdie's 0-yard attempt to Jamari Person that came up short on 4th-and-6 at Q4 11:40. Later, Deshawn Purdie's 23-yard throw to Jaylon Coleman on 3rd-and-6 at Q4 10:01.
How it unfolded
James Madison struck first through George Pettaway, led 17-6 at the half and Liberty got the final points on a late touchdown by Deshawn Purdie.
The standouts
JC Evans threw for 61 yards on nine attempts with one touchdown and ran nine times for 69 yards — that score from inside the 20. Corey Scott caught four passes for 21 yards, one of them for a touchdown, with that score from inside the 20. George Pettaway ran 15 times for 47 yards and one score, including that score from inside the 20 and two third-down conversions. For Liberty, Makai Jackson caught three passes for 73 yards, one of them for a touchdown, with a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. Deshawn Purdie threw for 230 yards on 27 attempts with one touchdown — four third-down conversions and a hand in seven plays of 15 yards or more. Jaylon Coleman ran three times for 18 yards and caught three passes for 37 yards. Jayon Harvey was the disruptive one for James Madison: 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU, 5 tackles.
Who got home
Two names to keep: Izaiah Guy (1 INT) for Liberty and Jayon Harvey (1 forced fumble, 1 PBU, 5 tackles) for James Madison.
The number
The closing line had James Madison -6.0. James Madison covered. The total was 50.5; the teams combined for 33, an under. JC Evans accounted for 6 of James Madison's points.
What it means
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
James Madison made the closing plays Liberty didn't. That's the whole story. Makai Jackson was responsible for 6 of Liberty's points; there was not enough behind him.
Discussion
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