Troy football delivered a remarkable comeback victory on Thursday night, defeating James Madison football 24-21 in overtime at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Hayden Wolfe kicked a 27-yard field goal in overtime to give the Trojans a memorable road win after they recovered from a 14-point halftime deficit.
The Troy vs James Madison matchup featured a dramatic turnaround, outstanding defensive performances and a heartbreaking finish for JMU. The Dukes entered the game as heavy favorites and started strongly, but Troy dominated the second half and held James Madison scoreless for the remainder of regulation and overtime.
With the victory, Troy improved to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in Sun Belt play, while James Madison dropped to 7-2.
Troy vs James Madison Final Score
Troy defeated James Madison 24-21 in overtime on October 29, 2026.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| James Madison | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
The game took place at Bridgeforth Stadium, with 25,005 fans in attendance. The Trojans ended JMU’s 11-game home winning streak with the victory.
How Troy Football Came Back Against JMU
James Madison looked in complete control during the opening half. The Dukes scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to establish a 14-0 advantage.
Quarterback Camden Coleman connected with Corey Scott for a two-yard touchdown before finding Braeden Wisloski on a 31-yard scoring pass. Both drives helped JMU build early momentum.
Troy responded with a touchdown early in the second quarter when Gavin Griffin scored on a one-yard rushing attempt. However, James Madison extended its advantage to 21-7 after Seth Cromwell ran for a 14-yard touchdown.
At halftime, the Trojans faced a difficult 14-point deficit.
The momentum changed dramatically after the break. Justin Powe intercepted a James Madison pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the second half, cutting the deficit to 21-14.
Troy continued its comeback when Jaheim Merriweather broke free for a 28-yard rushing touchdown with 7:36 remaining in the third quarter. Hayden Wolfe’s extra point tied the contest at 21-21.
Neither team managed to score during the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime.
Hayden Wolfe Wins It in Overtime
The overtime period delivered the decisive moment of the Troy vs James Madison game.
Troy won the coin toss and elected to play defense first. James Madison managed to earn a first down but struggled to move closer to the end zone.
The biggest defensive play came when Keno Jones stopped Seth Cromwell on fourth-and-one at the five-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs.
Troy then took possession and relied on its rushing attack to move into field-goal range. Gavin Griffin delivered an important eight-yard run on third-and-six.
Hayden Wolfe stepped up and converted a 27-yard field goal to secure the 24-21 victory.
It was a particularly memorable moment for Wolfe, who had missed a 49-yard field-goal attempt on Troy’s final possession in regulation.
Justin Powe Leads Troy’s Defensive Performance
Justin Powe was one of the biggest stars of the game for Troy football.
He recorded three interceptions, tying a Troy school record, and returned one of those interceptions 37 yards for a touchdown. His defensive performance played a major role in the Trojans’ comeback.
Powe became the first Troy player since Montres Kitchens in 2014 to record three interceptions in a game.
Linebacker Keno Jones also delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a game-high 13 tackles and a fumble recovery.
The Troy defense forced five turnovers overall and prevented James Madison from scoring during the final 38 minutes and 41 seconds of the contest.
Troy vs James Madison Match Player Stats
Here are the leading individual performances from the game.
Quarterback Statistics
| Player | Team | Passing Yards | Completion | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucker Kilcrease | Troy | 179 | 15/31 | 0 | 0 |
| Camden Coleman | JMU | 175 | 14/25 | 2 | 2 |
Kilcrease made his first start of the season and the 10th of his career. He also rushed 17 times for 40 yards while filling in for the injured Goose Crowder.
Rushing Leaders
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seth Cromwell | JMU | 23 | 135 | 1 |
| Jaheim Merriweather | Troy | 13 | 84 | 1 |
Cromwell was James Madison’s leading offensive contributor, while Merriweather delivered the crucial touchdown that tied the game.
Receiving Leaders
| Player | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Scott | JMU | 4 | 68 |
| Noreel White | Troy | 3 | 64 |
Defensive Leaders
| Player | Team | Key Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Powe | Troy | 3 interceptions, 1 defensive touchdown |
| Keno Jones | Troy | 13 tackles, 1 fumble recovery |
| Delvin Whitaker | Troy | 1 sack |
| Amar Thomas | JMU | 2 sacks |
| Rasheed Lovelace | JMU | 7 tackles |
Troy vs James Madison Team Statistics
Despite finishing with fewer total yards, Troy made the most of its defensive opportunities.
| Statistic | Troy | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 349 | 408 |
| Passing Yards | 179 | 247 |
| Rushing Yards | 170 | 161 |
| First Downs | 17 | 17 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 5 |
| Penalties | 7-44 | 10-71 |
| Third Down | 4/15 | 7/18 |
| Fourth Down | 0/3 | 1/3 |
| Time of Possession | 32:35 | 27:25 |
The five turnovers forced by Troy were especially important. Although James Madison gained 59 more total yards, the Dukes repeatedly gave away possession at critical moments.
What the Victory Means for Troy and James Madison
The victory represents an important result for Troy as it continues its Sun Belt campaign. The Trojans improved to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
The win also avenged Troy’s defeat to James Madison in the previous season’s Sun Belt Championship Game.
For JMU, the loss was a major disappointment. The Dukes entered the contest with a 7-1 record and an 11-game home winning streak, but their offense could not score after halftime.
James Madison remains 7-2 overall, while its conference record stands at 4-2 according to the supplied standings.
What’s Next for Troy Football?
Troy will return home for its next game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, November 7.
The Trojans will look to build on their comeback victory and carry their defensive momentum into the next Sun Belt matchup. Their performance against JMU showed that the team can compete under pressure, particularly when its defense creates turnovers.
James Madison will look to bounce back after a frustrating overtime defeat and regroup for its next challenge.
Final Takeaway
The Troy vs James Madison game delivered one of the most dramatic results of the week in college football. Troy overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit, forced five turnovers and scored the final 17 points to secure a 24-21 overtime victory.
Justin Powe’s record-tying three interceptions, Jaheim Merriweather’s game-tying touchdown and Hayden Wolfe’s winning field goal made the difference.
For Troy football, this was more than just another win. It was a statement road victory that ended JMU’s impressive home winning streak and gave the Trojans valuable momentum heading into November.
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