Game Overview
Date & Time: Friday, September 5, 2025 – Kickoff 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, 2800 S. Floyd Street, Louisville, KY 40209
Surface: Artificial Turf
Broadcast: ESPN2 / ESPN App
Weather Report (Louisville, KY – Kickoff)
Conditions: Cloudy skies
Temperature: ~59°F (15°C)
Wind: ~11 mph from the northwest
Precipitation: ~57% chance of rain during game window
Impact: Potential slick field and ball-handling issues; wind could slightly affect deep passing and kicking
Injury Report
James Madison Dukes
No major injuries reported after Week 1 win vs. Weber State
Louisville Cardinals
RB Jambres Dubar – Out (undisclosed)
K Colton Boomer – Questionable (lower body)
WR Aaron Anderson – Probable (ankle)
Recent Team Form
James Madison
Dominated Weber State with 458 total yards (313 rushing)
RB George Pettaway: 10 CAR, 99 YDS (9.9 YPC)
RB Wayne Knight: 7 CAR, 89 YDS, 1 TD
QB Alonza Barnett III: 14/22, 130 YDS, 1 TD; added rushing TD
Defense allowed just 10 points, forced multiple punts
Louisville
Beat Eastern Kentucky 51–17 despite losing turnover battle 3–0 and committing 12 penalties
RB Isaac Brown: 6 CAR, 126 YDS, 2 TD (21.0 YPC)
QB Miller Moss: 17/25, 223 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT; added rushing TD
WR Caullin Lacy: 4 REC, 62 YDS; also 93‑yard punt return TD
Key Player Matchups
QB Alonza Barnett III (JMU) vs. Louisville Front Seven
Barnett’s mobility and decision-making will be tested; Louisville’s front can clog run lanes and force passing downs.
RB Isaac Brown (LOU) vs. JMU Run Defense
Brown’s explosive ability (21 YPC in opener) vs. a Dukes defense that allowed just 116.4 rush YPG in 2024.
JMU Secondary vs. WR Caullin Lacy (LOU)
Lacy’s speed and return skills can flip field position; JMU’s CB Justin Eaglin and S Tyler Brown both graded 80+ in Week 1.
Series History
All-Time: Louisville leads 1–0
Last Meeting: Nov. 5, 2022 – Louisville 34, JMU 10 (Louisville, KY)
Notable: JMU is 2–1 vs. ACC opponents since joining FBS in 2022, with road wins at Virginia (2023) and North Carolina (2024).
Betting Trends
James Madison
1–0 ATS in 2025
Under has hit in last 2 games dating back to 2024
4–10 all-time vs. ACC, but 2–0 last two seasons
Louisville
0–1 ATS in 2025 (as 14.5+ point favorite)
Over has hit in last 5 games dating back to 2024
11–0 SU in last 11 home games
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
Louisville’s explosive offense (36.5 PPG in 2024) vs. JMU’s disciplined defense (20.5 PPG allowed in 2024)
JMU’s run-heavy attack vs. Louisville’s front seven
Weather: rain/wind could slow vertical passing, favoring underdog’s ball-control style
Coaching trend: Jeff Brohm 8–11 ATS as double-digit favorite across Purdue/Louisville
Game Odds
James Madison Dukes 57.5
Louisville Cardinals – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 4, 2025
