In a thrilling Saturday night showdown at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Troy University secured a 24‑21 overtime win over the Dukes. The decisive moment came when kicker Hayden Wolfe nailed a 27‑yard field goal in the extra period, capping a comeback that saw the Trojans erase a 14‑point early hole.
Early dominance by James Madison
The game began with Troy turning the ball over on downs at the Dukes’ 41‑yard line. James Madison capitalized quickly, with quarterback Camden Coleman connecting on a 2‑yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Corey Scott on fourth‑and‑goal, giving the Dukes a 7‑0 lead.
James Madison extended its advantage on the next possession when Coleman threw a 31‑yard strike to Braeden Wisloski, putting the Dukes up 14‑0. The Trojans finally got on the board when running back Gavin Griffin burst through for a one‑yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, narrowing the score to 14‑7.
Halftime shift and defensive heroics
The Dukes answered before the half with a 14‑yard rushing touchdown by Seth Cromwell, pushing the lead to 21‑7 at the break.
Early in the third quarter, Troy’s defense sparked a turnaround. Defensive back Justin Powe intercepted backup quarterback JC Evans and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to seven points. Powe went on to snag two more interceptions, tying the school record for most picks in a single game, a mark set by Ronnie Shelley in 1968.
Turning points in the fourth quarter
James Madison’s offense stalled after its three scoring drives, resulting in four three‑and‑outs and five turnovers over the next nine possessions. Troy capitalized on a fumble recovery, converting it into a 28‑yard touchdown run by Jaheim Merriweather, tying the game at 21‑21 and sending it into overtime.
In the extra period, Troy’s special teams delivered the final blow. Hayden Wolfe’s 27‑yard field goal gave the Trojans a 24‑21 win, sealing a comeback that highlighted both offensive resilience and defensive playmaking.
Statistical highlights
- Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease completed 15 of 31 passes for 179 yards.
- Running back Jaheim Merriweather rushed for 84 yards on 13 carries, including the game‑tying touchdown.
- James Madison quarterback Camden Coleman threw for 175 yards on 14‑of‑25 attempts, with two interceptions.
- Seth Cromwell contributed 135 rushing yards on 23 carries for the Dukes.
- Defensive back Justin Powe recorded three interceptions, matching a school record.
Following the victory, Troy improves to 4‑4 overall and 2‑2 in Sun Belt Conference play, while James Madison falls to 7‑2 overall and 4‑2 in conference. The Trojans will host Louisiana Tech on Nov. 7, looking to build on the momentum from this hard‑fought win.
Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.
