Koziol, Sloan Shine in Loss at Unbeaten James Madison

HARRISONBURG, Va. — For the first time in program history, Ball State traveled to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to square off against James Madison on Saturday afternoon. The Dukes defended sold-out Bridgeforth Stadium from the visiting Cardinals in a 63-7 decision.

James Madison extended their unbeaten record to 4-0, while Ball State dropped to 1-3 on the young season.

Quarterback Kadin Semonza found tight end Tanner Koziol for nine completions, 112 yards and a touchdown against Central Michigan last week, and the Cardinals' imposing target enjoyed another strong outing against JMU. Koziol snatched nine passes (tied for a career high) for 78 yards and a touchdown against a stingy Dukes defense, which marked the first time he has recorded TD receptions in consecutive games since 2022.

While Koziol found success as the cornerstone of the receiving corps, running back Braedon Sloan manufactured an efficient afternoon leading Ball State's ground attack. The senior marched for 72 yards on 14 carries, and he secured two fourth-down conversions with his crucial short-yardage bursts.

Linebacker Sam Feeney also notched another productive outing in his already impactful freshman campaign in a Ball State uniform. The rookie out of Indianapolis logged the first sack of his career in the second quarter, and he later added another in the fourth frame.

Though Ball State showed flashes of success offensively and featured a number of individual bright spots, turnovers proved to be the difference in the road contest. James Madison, who entered the game as the FBS leader in turnover margin, recorded three takeaways, which returned 14 points in the Dukes' favor. The Cardinals, conversely, did not force any turnovers from their Sun Belt Conference foes.

After a 34-yard return on the opening kickoff yielded fine starting field position, James Madison found paydirt on the game's first drive. Then, after a JMU defender intercepted a tipped pass on Ball State's initial possession, the Dukes found themselves in another scoring opportunity. They used a 24-yard rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion on the ensuing drive to jump out to a quick 15-0 lead.

Finding themselves down two possessions midway through the first frame, the Cardinals responded with an efficient seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown connection between Semonza and Koziol. The score was the third TD produced by the Semonza-Koziol duo this season. Ball State brought JMU to a fourth down on its next offensive series, but the Dukes converted and later scored on the following play to bring the count to 22-7 late in the first quarter. After a stalled Cardinal drive, James Madison added another touchdown to its lead in the second period with a 10-yard touchdown strike.

The Cardinals moved the ball past midfield and were threatening to add a score in the closing minutes of the first half, but another interception produced by JMU's defense ended that promising pursuit. The Dukes carried a 29-7 lead into halftime.

After Sloan opened Ball State's first second-half drive with a strong 9-yard run, JMU stymied the Cardinals' trip down the field by recording a pick six — extending its lead to 35-7. The Dukes continued to roll on both sides of the ball in the second half, adding 34 points before the final whistle blew.

The Cardinals return to Mid-American Conference play next Saturday when they host Western Michigan for the annual Community and Family Weekend game. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium, in a game carried on ESPN+ and WMUN Radio.

Koziol, Sloan Shine in Loss at Unbeaten James Madison

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Team Stats

Kadin Semonza

Aidan Leffler

Kiael Kelly

Players Mentioned

Sam Feeney

Tanner Koziol

Kadin Semonza

Braedon Sloan

Players Mentioned

Sam Feeney

Tanner Koziol

Kadin Semonza

Braedon Sloan