9 Observations from JMU’s 45-38 Loss at Georgia Southern

James Madison University lost its first game as an FBS football club to Georgia Southern, 45-38. It was also the first time JMU failed to cover this year in the college football betting odds market.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern on Saturday night. It was JMU's first FBS loss. The team turned the ball over four times and got a punt blocked for a touchdown. The loss is the cost of playing in the FBC. JU is a team that plays in Sun Belt Conference. They have to play against teams named after 17th century Monarchs.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. Special teams were an issue for JMU. JUMA had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown. The team was 1-for-3 on fourth down. Cignetti and his offense don't have the ability to make nuanced decisions when they're in the No Man's Land portion of the field. The kicking game isn't reliable right now. It's better to try to sustain a 6-point possession in short-yardage situations than take a high-risk shot at a 3-pointer.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. The team's passing game was good. It's hard to second-guess playcalling because there are so many things we don't know in the external environment.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. JMU ran the ball 40 times and passed it 48 times. The team's preferred running game was dominating. It was clear JUMA wanted to pass the football vertically. The Dukes' top-flight receivers made some good plays and some bad ones. They were not successful. Kaelon Black was injured. He is expected to be fully healed by November 6 at Louisville.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. Kyle Vantrease threw 578 yards through the air. Georgia State's James Blackman is also a talented quarterback. JMU's secondary was exposed by the GeorgiaSouthern offense.   The team ran more than 80 plays on offense, which was more that any other JUmmur team has faced this year. The defense couldn't get off the field on third down.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. The team's tackling was poor all four quarters and especially in the second half. On 4th and 10 with 2:28 to play, JMU's secondary made contact with GeorgiaSouthern's receiver behind the line to gain, but a lack of form tackling surrendered another four or five yards. GeorgiaSU scored the game-winning touchdown.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. JMU had the ball with 62 seconds to go 62 yards. The team had no timeouts and relied heavily on out patterns to manage the clock. Centeio threw the game-ending interception. The turnover isn't on Centesio's fault, but the final-minute clock management might have been.

JMU lost 45-38 at Georgia Southern. The loss won't knock JMU out of the AP Top 25. JUMA's run defense is still one of best in Division I football.

Kris Thornton's catch was clearly a catch. JMU had plenty of chances to win the game. It outgained Georgia Southern by more than 100 yards but was -3 in turnover margin.

JMU lost a football game in October. Next Saturday JMU hosts Marshall for a homecoming game. It's the first time a sellout crowd will support the Dukes as a Sun Belt team. Chase Kiddy is a staff writer for The Roar by BetMGM.