The Sun Belt Conference’s East Division finale takes center stage as the No. 21 James Madison Dukes (10-1, 7-0 Sun Belt) invade Brooks Stadium to battle the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (6-5, 5-2 Sun Belt). JMU, riding an undefeated conference campaign under Bob Chesney, eyes a perfect regular season and a strong postseason resume (projected Gasparilla Bowl) after a hard-fought 24-20 home win over Washington State on November 22. Coastal Carolina, in year two under Tim Ruff, enters desperate for a signature victory to cap a bowl-eligible season (projected Myrtle Beach Bowl) following a 51-7 rout at South Carolina on November 22—the Chanticleers’ worst loss since 2014. The Dukes’ high-powered offense (top-15 nationally, 38.2 PPG) exploits Coastal’s depleted secondary, but the Chanticleers’ ground control (top-40 rush YPG) could test JMU’s front—expect Conway chaos, Chanticleer crowing, and a high-octane affair with playoff implications for the Dukes.
Venue Location
The matchup unfolds at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. This 20,000-seat Sun Belt gem, opened in 2001 and expanded in 2019, is Coastal Carolina’s home since 2003 and known for its electric “Teal Nation” student section and tailgate traditions amid the Myrtle Beach backdrop. It’s JMU’s “road” venue (a 350-mile drive from Harrisonburg), where the Chanticleers boast a 1-1 series record—expect a near-sellout for rivalry week.
Kickoff: 3:45 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPNU (primary), with streaming on ESPN app and Fubo. Radio: JMU’s 880 AM (Dukes Sports Network); Coastal’s 98.1 FM (Chanticleer Sports Network).
Weather Updates
Conway’s late-November forecast promises mild, game-friendly coastal conditions. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 62°F (17°C) and a low around 43°F (6°C). Winds: Light and variable at 5-10 mph, with a 20% chance of isolated showers in the evening. Low humidity (~60%) keeps the grass field (Bermuda) firm and fast—ideal for JMU’s up-tempo spread (top-15 pace), though any mist could slicken footing for Coastal’s run game.
Injury Report
JMU enters relatively healthy after a bye, but Coastal’s QB room took a devastating hit in their Georgia Southern loss on November 15. Updates as of November 28.
James Madison Dukes:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| L. Ellis | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed (Wed, Nov 26) | Slot receiver (est. 25 rec, 350 yds); if out, shifts targets to boundary WRs—offense ranks top-15 scoring (38.2 PPG). |
| Ayo Adeyi | RB | Questionable | Undisclosed (Oct 29) | Rotational back (300 yds); thins committee behind lead RB in top-20 rush attack. |
| Jobi Malary | RB | Out | Undisclosed (Sep 21) | Depth RB; no major ripple with primary backs healthy. |
Overall: Three key questionables; Chesney noted “no major concerns” post-bye, with QB Jordan McCloud fully cleared.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Samari Collier | QB | Out (Regular Season) | Undisclosed (injured Nov 15 vs. Georgia Southern) | Starter (1,800 yds, 12 TDs); forces Tad Hudson (15/28, 173 yds in relief)—Chanticleers 1-4 without full QB health. |
| W. Gray | LB | Out | Undisclosed (Wed, Nov 26) | Tackle leader (est. 50 stops); thins front seven (team allows 240 pass yds/game). |
| S. Bruce | LB | Questionable | Undisclosed (Nov 15) | Rotational LB; strains run D if sidelined. |
Overall: QB crisis dominates; Ruff called it “next-man-up challenge,” with secondary intact but backfield depth tested.
Player Matchups
JMU’s explosiveness (top-15 SP+ offense) overwhelms Coastal’s grit (top-70 defense). Coastal air adds ~2% scoring; keys:
JMU QB Jordan McCloud vs. Coastal Secondary (Bruce questionable): McCloud’s arm (2,800 yds, 22 TDs) dissects zones. Chanticleers’ DBs (top-60 efficiency, 10 INTs) force TOs. Edge: JMU—Dukes 8-0 with McCloud 250+ yds; Coastal 2-4 vs. 300+ yd QBs.
Coastal QB Tad Hudson (relief starter) vs. JMU Pass Rush: Hudson’s inexperience (173 yds relief) faces edges (top-50 sacks). Edge: JMU—Chanticleers 1-5 sacked 3+ times.
JMU RB (committee, Adeyi questionable) vs. Coastal Front Seven: Dukes’ backs (220 YPG) test LBs (top-50 run D). Edge: JMU—Dukes 7-1 with 150+ rush yds.
Coastal WR (group) vs. JMU CBs: Targets (est. 1,200 yds) work YAC. Dukes bend (60th passer rating). Edge: Coastal—Chanticleers 3-2 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
James Madison Dukes: Chesney’s Dukes edged Washington State 24-20 (Nov. 22), with McCloud’s poise (300 yds) shining. Offense humming (38.2 PPG), D elite (top-15 scoring). Morale: Undefeated conf—10-0 SU Sun Belt.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: Ruff’s Chanticleers routed 51-7 at South Carolina (Nov. 22), but prior W over Georgia Southern (45-40) showed fight—Collier’s injury hurt (15 PPG last 2). Morale: Home rebound—4-1 SU at Brooks.
Series History
FCS rivals since 2005, JMU dominates. All-time: JMU leads 4-1 (first L 27-31, 2005). JMU won last four (largest 56-14, 2023). At Brooks: Coastal 1-0 (2005). Trends: Avg. 35-20 JMU; overs in 3/5.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | JMU | 28-24 | Road thriller |
| 2023 | JMU | 56-14 | Blowout |
| 2022 | JMU | 38-14 | Dominant |
| 2021 | JMU | 27-9 | Defensive |
| 2005 | Coastal | 31-27 | Series opener |
Betting Trends
JMU: 9-2 ATS (81.8%); 4-1 ATS as 20+ road faves. 7-4 O/U; overs in 5/7 away. 9-1 SU as fave (90%). Vs. Coastal: 4-0 SU/ATS last 4.
Coastal: 5-6 ATS (45.5%); 1-3 ATS as 21+ home dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 4/6 home. 2-6 SU as underdog (25%). Series: 0-4 SU last 4.
Series Trends: Favorite covers 4/5; overs 3/5 (avg. 55 pts). Road teams 3-2 SU; JMU 4-0 SU last 4 tilts. Advanced: FPI gives JMU 85% win prob. JMU top-15 offensive SP+; Coastal 90th overall.
Game Odds
James Madison Dukes – 21.5
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 54
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
