James Madison routs Wagner 87-3

Team pages: Wagner · James Madison

Wagner1-23
James Madison2-087Final
Sat, Sep 12 · Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, Va. · Crowd 25,028ESPN+

James Madison routed Wagner 87-3.

We had James Madison favored. It won.

Next: Wagner lost to California 49-7, Sat Sep 19

Next: James Madison beat San Diego State 26-13, Sat Sep 19

How it swung

Before kickoff, our ratings gave James Madison a 94% chance, and the closing betting line (James Madison was a 46.5-point favorite) put it above 99%.

James Madison led by 18 after the first quarter and by 39 at the half.

Q1Q2Q3Q40+84+84
Punt return TDJames Madison · Q1 13:31Punt return TDJames Madison · Q2 1:0077-yard TD runJames Madison · Q3 14:20Punt return TDJames Madison · Q3 12:04
FinalJames Madison 87-3 WagnerJames Madison wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4Won87-3ScoresPunt return TDPunt return TD77-yard TD runPunt return TD
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4Won87-3ScoresPunt return TDPunt return TD77-yard TD runPunt return TD
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4Lowest 0%Lost3-87ScoresPunt return TDPunt return TD77-yard TD runPunt return TD
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4Lowest 0%Lost3-87ScoresPunt return TDPunt return TD77-yard TD runPunt return TD

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

James Madison’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (James Madison -46.5), at 100% for James Madison (the play-by-play feed's kickoff number, moved to match the line; our model's and the betting line's own numbers are in “The betting line, and the fans”). Dots are the biggest swings; ticks under the chart are scores. Outlined diamonds mark rare plays.

Watch the plays

The bar and the arrow show James Madison’s chance to win after each play; the logo is the team the play helped.

  1. Q2, 7:59Herman 15-yd TD runJames Madison leads 35-3Q2, 7:59 · James Madison 35, Wagner 335-3score after the play35-3score after the playWatch from this playSun Belt Conference
  2. Q2, 1:00Scott 76-yd punt return TDJames Madison leads 42-3Q2, 1:00 · James Madison 42, Wagner 342-3score after the play42-3score after the playWatch from this playSun Belt Conference
  3. Q3, 8:22Coleman 18-yd TD pass to CollinsJames Madison leads 63-3Q3, 8:22 · James Madison 63, Wagner 363-3score after the play63-3score after the playWatch from this playSun Belt Conference
  4. Q4, 14:39Maiden 20-yd TD pass to MosleyJames Madison leads 73-3Q4, 14:39 · James Madison 73, Wagner 373-3score after the play73-3score after the playWatch from this playSun Belt Conference

Every drive

James Madison scored on 10 of its 12 drives; Wagner on 4 of its 16.

James Madison’s drives are teal, Wagner’s amber. A line runs from where a drive started to where it ended; a filled dot means it scored.

own goalgoal lineQ1Wagner: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 22Field goalJames Madison: Touchdown, from 5 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Punt, from 77 yards out to 71PuntJames Madison: Touchdown, from 66 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Fumble, from 82 yards out to 66FumbleQ2James Madison: Touchdown, from 34 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Turned over on downs, from 35 yards out to 8DownsJames Madison: Touchdown, from 52 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Punt, from 71 yards out to 63PuntJames Madison: Punt, from 74 yards out to 74PuntJames Madison: Turned over on downs, from 27 yards out to 23DownsWagner: Touchdown, from 77 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: End of half, from 75 yards out to 72End of halfQ3James Madison: Touchdown, from 82 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Punt, from 75 yards out to 69PuntJames Madison: Touchdown, from 82 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Punt, from 75 yards out to 68PuntWagner: Punt, from 34 yards out to 38PuntJames Madison: Field goal, from 80 yards out to 27Field goalWagner: Punt, from 75 yards out to 77PuntJames Madison: Touchdown, from 39 yards out to 0TouchdownQ4Wagner: Punt, from 75 yards out to 52PuntJames Madison: Touchdown, from 81 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: Punt, from 75 yards out to 62PuntJames Madison: Touchdown, from 70 yards out to 0TouchdownWagner: End of game, from 75 yards out to 78End of game

Never in doubt.

Box score

James Madison 87, Wagner 3

James Madison covered −46.5 by 37.5. The total, 90, went over 56.5.

WagnerJames MadisonTotal yardsWagner 204James Madison 588204588Passing yardsWagner 118James Madison 298118298Rushing yardsWagner 86James Madison 29086290First downsWagner 10James Madison 271027TurnoversWagner 2James Madison 121Time of possessionWagner 37:24James Madison 22:3637:2422:36
Team totalsWagnerJames Madison
Total yards204588
Passing14 of 27, 118 yds20 of 27, 298 yds
Rushing40 for 86 yds35 for 290 yds
First downs1027
Third down6 of 195 of 8
Fourth down0 of 10 of 1
Turnovers21
Penalties12 for 65 yds6 for 70 yds
Time of possession37:2422:36

Wagner leaders

  • Passing Benjamin Newman 11 of 20, 101 yds
  • Rushing Uriah Moats-Maynard 14 for 33 yds; Andrew Ransome 11 for 31 yds
  • Receiving Zion Fowler-El 4 for 45 yds; Malik Redd 3 for 29 yds

James Madison leaders

  • Passing Camden Coleman 12 of 18, 171 yds, 1 TD
  • Rushing Nick Herman 8 for 132 yds, 2 TD; George Pettaway 9 for 52 yds, 3 TD
  • Receiving Corey Scott 3 for 52 yds; Michael Scott 3 for 45 yds

No rain through the game

74° at kickoff · no rain recorded

Game-day temperatures at Bridgeforth Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4James Madison favoredWagner favored100%Win chanceJames MadisonRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mphHourly wind only at this airport
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4James Madison favoredWagner favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040Hourly wind only at this airport

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

First quarter, 15:00 left12:04 p.m.
Wagner 0, James Madison 0 · James Madison 100% to win
no rain · 75°
Kamau 4-yd run
Where this weather comes fromMeasured at Bridgewater airport, 6.7 miles away. Rain is NOAA's radar-and-gauge estimate at the stadium and wind is an airport reading; neither is measured on the field. Game times come from the play-by-play, good to a minute or two. Source: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet; rain radar from NOAA MRMS, through Iowa State University. Field direction from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Before kickoff

Recent games, the series and the betting line below are as they stood going in; the season profile is the season so far.

Recent games

Last two games

Wagner · 1-1

Rated 221st in our preseason ratings, 245th now.

1-1 in its last two — but nothing on this résumé beats a top-40 team yet.

W 31-7 vs Southern Connecticut State #385 of 668

Wagner won 31-7 vs Southern Connecticut State. Chance to win started at 55%, low 50%, high better than 99%.

L 7-28 vs Robert Morris #214 of 668

lost by 21 as a 5.5-point favorite

Wagner lost 7-28 vs Robert Morris. Chance to win started at 72%, low under 1%, high 75%.

Last three games · 2025 season

James Madison · 12-2

Rated 85th in our preseason ratings, 86th now.

2-1 in its last three — but nothing on this résumé beats a top-40 team yet.

L 34-51 @ OregonTop 25 #3 of 667

lost by 17 as a 20.5-point underdog

James Madison lost 34-51 at Oregon. Chance to win started at 5%, low under 1%, high 7%.

W 31-14 vs Troy #109 of 667

won by 17 as a 22.5-point favorite

James Madison won 31-14 vs Troy. Chance to win started at 94%, low 82%, high better than 99%.

W 59-10 @ Coastal Carolina #187 of 667

won by 49 as a 23.5-point favorite

James Madison won 59-10 at Coastal Carolina. Chance to win started at 92%, low 92%, high better than 99%.

W 24-20 vs Washington State #58 of 667

won by 4 as a 15.5-point favorite

James Madison won 24-20 vs Washington State. Chance to win started at 89%, low 47%, high better than 99%.

W 58-10 vs App State #152 of 667

won by 48 as a 19.5-point favorite

James Madison won 58-10 vs App State. Chance to win started at 93%, low 88%, high better than 99%.

W 35-23 @ Marshall #97 of 667

won by 12 as a 13.5-point favorite

James Madison won 35-23 at Marshall. Chance to win started at 77%, low 71%, high better than 99%.

W 52-20 @ Texas State #86 of 667

won by 32 as a 7.5-point favorite

James Madison won 52-20 at Texas State. Chance to win started at 65%, low 59%, high better than 99%.

W 63-27 vs Old Dominion #72 of 667

won by 36 as a 3.5-point favorite

James Madison won 63-27 vs Old Dominion. Chance to win started at 26%, low 25%, high better than 99%.

W 24-14 vs Louisiana #128 of 667

won by 10 as an 18.5-point favorite

James Madison won 24-14 vs Louisiana. Chance to win started at 93%, low 56%, high better than 99%.

W 14-7 @ Georgia State #119 of 667

won by 7 as an 18.5-point favorite

James Madison won 14-7 at Georgia State. Chance to win started at 87%, low 48%, high 97%.

W 35-10 vs Georgia Southern #115 of 667

won by 25 as a 16.5-point favorite

James Madison won 35-10 vs Georgia Southern. Chance to win started at 91%, low 87%, high better than 99%.

W 31-13 @ Liberty #102 of 667

won by 18 as a 7.5-point favorite

James Madison won 31-13 at Liberty. Chance to win started at 64%, low 44%, high better than 99%.

L 14-28 @ LouisvilleTop 25 #26 of 667

lost by 14 as a 15.5-point underdog

James Madison lost 14-28 at Louisville. Chance to win started at 11%, low under 1%, high 47%.

W 45-10 vs Weber State #169 of 667

won by 35 as a 27.5-point favorite

James Madison won 45-10 vs Weber State. Chance to win started at 97%, low 96%, high better than 99%.

Week by week

James Madison

  • Wk 1Wvs Liberty20-13

Wagner

Wk 1: L 7-28 vs Robert Morris▼21Robert MorrisWk 1: W 31-7 vs Southern Connecticut State▲24Southern Connecticut St.
  • Wk 1Lvs Robert Morris7-28
  • Wk 1Wvs Southern Connecticut State31-7

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Our model and the betting line don’t fully agree on James Madison’s chances here.

50-50Model 94% · Line 100%WagnerJames Madison

James Madison favored by 46.5 · Total 56.5

How games like this usually go

James Madison by 46.5, and it went to form

50%90%Q1Q2Q3Q450%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4

Half of games8 in 10 gamesThis game

The band is where a favorite’s chance ran in the 411 games since 2025 with a favorite of 21.5 points or more.

The market

The spread moved 1 point toward James Madison.

opened −45.5now −46.5

The total rose 2 points.

opened 54.5now 56.5

Spread: −45.5 → −46.5 · Total: 54.5 → 56.5

Weather at kickoff

Warm and dry. Feels like 80° at kickoff.

Wagner at James Madison · Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 · Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg

  • 80°feels like at kickoff
  • Dryno rain at kickoff
  • 91weather score, Comfortable
  • Middleof the day's 7 kickoff times

At kickoff, Sept. 12, 2026.

Weather score: 0 to 100, higher is better, for the first 3 hours and 20 minutes of the game. Ideal is 100, Comfortable 90 to 99, Mixed 75 to 89, Rough 50 to 74, Harsh under 50.

Kickoff times that Saturday

Games in this time zone used 7 kickoff times that day, local time (kickoffs within 30 minutes of each other count as one). This game, ringed, was in the middle of the day's seven kickoff times. At Bridgeforth Stadium that day, a 7 pm or 7:30 pm kickoff would have scored 100, against 91 at noon.

  • noon: 91, Comfortable (this game)
  • 1 pm: 87, Mixed
  • 2 pm: 86, Mixed
  • 3:30 pm: 86, Mixed
  • 6 pm: 97, Comfortable
  • 7 pm: 100, Ideal
  • 7:30 pm: 100, Ideal

Weather score at each kickoff time.

Tap a dot to read that kickoff time.

At kickoff, Sept. 12, 2026. Wind is not drawn here; gusts are in each score.

Home field

James Madison is worth +6.4 points (±4.6) more at home than on the road since 2018 — top third of FBS, 88th percentile.

88% at home, 66% on the road against FBS opponents (22-3 home, 21-11 away).

Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge (why); the books use about 3. Against the closing line this stadium reads +1.9 at home vs. away over 58 games — inside the ±8.9 noise, so the flat number is the honest one here.

The visitors travel about 296 miles to get here.

Where next