A week and a half ago, then-undefeated James Madison was in control of the College Football Group of Six playoff berth until losing in overtime at Appalachian State.
On Thursday, the Dukes’ wheels came off against Troy at home in another overtime loss that knocked them out of the playoffs altogether. JMU coach Billy Napier deserves ample blame for the 24-21 setback with a clock management blunder for the ages.
The Dukes appeared to be headed for a game-winning field goal attempt in regulation, with a 1st-and-10 from the Troy 37 with 31 seconds left and two timeouts. They proceeded with a one-yard run, a timeout, consecutive negative runs, a timeout, an incomplete pass, a Hail Mary, an overtime.
In overtime, Napier avoided a field goal after getting the ball first, choosing to go for it and coming up short. When the Trojans got the ball back, their own short-field field goal won the game.
It was just a colossal coaching mistake that will take Napier from a honeymoon in Harrisonburg to heartburn. The Dukes deserve a lot of criticism for not playing well, but their coach botched the end.
Gn sports
