How James Madison Football Is Building a Championship Contender This Season
Let me tell you something about championship building that you won't find in most playbooks. Watching James Madison's football program evolve this season reminds me of something deeper about athletic development - it's not just about the X's and O's, but about those breakthrough moments that transform individual players and entire teams. I've been following college football for over fifteen years, and what's happening in Harrisonburg has that special feel of a program hitting its stride at exactly the right moment.
I was thinking about this recently when I came across a quote from volleyball player KKD that perfectly captures what I'm seeing at JMU. She described that incredible feeling after her first point back from injury: "Kita naman na feel na feel ko ('yung block ko). Grabe 'yung celebration ko. It is my first point as a High Speed Hitter and my first point after being out for a long time. It really felt good and sana magtuloy-tuloy." That raw emotion, that breakthrough moment after struggle - that's exactly what championship contenders are built upon. At James Madison, I'm seeing these individual breakthroughs happening across the roster, creating a collective momentum that's hard to ignore.
What head coach Curt Cignetti has accomplished in just a few seasons is nothing short of remarkable. When I look at their defensive improvements specifically, the numbers jump off the page. Last season, they allowed an average of 328 yards per game, but this year they've trimmed that down to about 285 - that's a 13% improvement that doesn't happen by accident. I've always believed that championship teams are built from the defense outward, and JMU's front seven is playing with a disruptive energy that reminds me of some of those great Appalachian State teams from the mid-2000s. Their ability to generate pressure without blitzing - they're getting pressure on about 38% of passing downs - allows their secondary to play more aggressively, creating those game-changing turnovers that separate good teams from great ones.
The offensive transformation has been equally impressive, particularly in the running game. Watching running back Percy Agyei-Obese break through tackles reminds me of that KKD quote - you can see that moment of breakthrough when he hits the second level. The offensive line, which returned four starters from last year's squad, has gelled in a way that you rarely see this early in the season. They're averaging 4.8 yards per carry, up from 4.2 last season, and that kind of improvement speaks to both player development and schematic excellence. Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan Jr. has implemented a system that plays to his personnel's strengths rather than forcing players into predetermined roles - something I wish more programs would recognize as crucial to sustainable success.
Special teams might not get the headlines, but I've always believed it's the secret weapon of championship contenders. JMU's coverage units have been outstanding, pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line on 42% of punts this season compared to just 28% last year. That field position battle might not be glamorous, but it wins close games against quality opponents. Kicker Camden Wise has connected on 15 of his 17 field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder against Appalachian State that ultimately decided the game. Those are the moments that build confidence throughout the entire program.
The culture development aspect is what really convinces me this team has championship potential. I've spoken with several people close to the program, and they consistently mention the leadership council formed by team captains that meets weekly with coaching staff. This player-driven accountability is something you can't manufacture - it either develops organically or it doesn't. When players take ownership of both successes and failures, when they celebrate each other's breakthroughs like KKD described after her first point back, that's when you know you have something special brewing.
Looking at their remaining schedule, I count at least three games that will truly test their championship mettle. The November 12th matchup against Coastal Carolina stands out as potentially season-defining. Both teams are averaging over 34 points per game, and that contest could very well decide the Sun Belt East division. Having covered college football through multiple conference realignments and championship runs, I can tell you that these high-stakes November games create the pressure necessary to forge championship mental toughness.
What impresses me most about this James Madison team is how they're winning different types of games. They've won shootouts, they've grinded out low-scoring defensive battles, and they've mounted second-half comebuns. That versatility is the hallmark of teams that make deep runs into December and January. The way they've adapted their game plans week to week shows a coaching staff that understands their personnel and isn't afraid to adjust traditional approaches. Honestly, I think they're ahead of schedule in their development curve - most transitioning FBS programs take at least four years to become truly competitive, yet here they are in year two looking like legitimate contenders.
The foundation they're building extends beyond this season too. Their recruiting class currently ranks in the top three among Group of Five programs, with particular strength along both lines - always my preferred building approach. They've secured commitments from six three-star prospects, including quarterback Markell Redd, who I believe could develop into a program-changing player based on the film I've studied. Sustainable success requires constantly refreshing the pipeline, and JMU appears to be doing exactly that.
As we head into the crucial final stretch of the season, I'm convinced James Madison has all the components necessary to not just compete for but potentially win a conference championship. Their statistical improvements across all phases, the cultural development within the program, the strategic coaching adjustments, and those individual breakthrough moments that build collective confidence - it's the complete package. Championship teams aren't born overnight, but are built through countless small victories and personal breakthroughs, much like KKD described after her first point back. That emotional connection to the struggle and subsequent success is what transforms good teams into great ones, and what makes James Madison football such an compelling story this season.