James Madison's hope of returning to the College Football Playoff took a major hit Thursday night
One of the Group of Six CFP darlings, the Dukes lost at Appalachian State 34-31 in overtime to give Billy Napier his first defeat as JMU coach.
The Dukes (7-1) forced overtime when Camden Coleman scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown with three seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 31-31.
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In overtime, JMU got the ball first, but Morgan Suarez missed a 47-yard field goal that doinked off the upright.
App State (5-2) kicker James London hit his 40-yard attempt for the walk-off win as Mountaineers fans rushed the field in celebration.
DOWN GOES THE DUKES 😤
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 23, 2026
APP STATE HANDS JMU ITS FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QuNcIzveIg
The loss all but eliminates the Dukes from a return trip to the CFP as a Group of Six contender. Boise State still has the edge in that G6 race, with the winner of the American Conference — JMU's future home — also likely ahead in the pecking order.
New Mexico plays North Dakota State on Saturday in another potential G6 eliminator in the Mountain West.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Madison’s Playoff dream may have ended with a doink and a field rush