No. 24 James Madison will continue its remarkable season with an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl against Air Force. The Dukes are transitioning from FCS and eligible because there weren't enough six-win teams available for postseason. JMU and Air Force boasts two of the nation's stingiest run defenses with the Dukes allowing just 61.5 yards per game (first) and the Falcons allowing 96.3 (10th). Dukes QB Jordan McCloud has passed for 3,400 yards and 32 touchdowns.
WATCH: Monarchs push No. 25 JMU to the brink, fall 30-27
DETAILS:
No. 24 James Madison (11-1, Sun Belt) vs. Air Force (8-4, Mountain West), Dec. 23, 3:30 p.m. EST
LOCATION: Fort Worth, Texas
TOP PLAYERS
James Madison: QB Jordan McCloud has passed for 3,400 yards and 32 touchdowns. DL Jalen Green was leading the nation with 15.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss among 50 overall stops before sustaining a season-ending knee injury last month.
Air Force: Emmanuel Michel (733 yards, TDs) leads four Falcons who have rushed for at least 431 yards apiece. Zac Larrier (579, five TDs), John Lee Eldridge III (515, six) and Owen Burke (431, three) follow.
NOTABLE
Damian Wroblewski will serve as JMU’s acting head coach after Curt Cignetti was hired last week at Indiana. The Dukes lead the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 61.5 yards per game.
Air Force ranks second in FBS rushing at 275.8 yards per game and is 10th in rushing defense, yielding just 96.3 per contest.
LAST TIME
First meeting.
BOWL HISTORY
Air Force will make its record seventh appearance in the bowl game and is 15-13-1 lifetime. The Falcons beat Baylor 30-15 in last year’s game. James Madison is transitioning from FCS and playing in its first bowl.
