Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
0-1 , 0-0
James Madison
1-0 , 0-0
'Cats fall to Dukes in season opener
8/30/2025 7:51:00 PM | Football
The Wildcats battled throughout but were unable to overcome JMU's balanced attack, as the Dukes rolled up 458 yards of total offense, including 313 on the ground. JMU averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
Weber State had 158 yards of offense with 84 yards passing and 64 yards rushing. JMU also had 23 first downs and forced three Wildcat interceptions.Â
With the Dukes leading 28-0 late in the second quarter, Ishaan Daniels recovered a fumble that set the Wildcats up on the JMU 18-yard line. Two plays later, Jackson Gilkey found Noah Kjar for a 14-yard touchdown to put the 'Cats on the board.Â
Earlier in the third quarter, Ishaan Daniels had a sack for a loss of nine yards, then the 'Cats stopped a JMU fake punt attempt. Sloan Calder then knocked down a career-long 51-yard field goal and made it 28-10 with 11:03 to play in the third quarter.Â
The Dukes led 31-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, when Wayne Knight broke off a 59-yard touchdown run to make it 38-10. After an interception, the Dukes added another score with 4:48 to play.Â
In his first collegiate action, WSU sophomore transfer quarterback Jackson Gilkey was 10 of 24 passing for 84 yards and a touchdown.Â
Marcus Chretien had two catches for 22 yards to lead the receivers.Â
Senior transfer running back Zach Hrbacek had 12 carries for 39 yards and Gilkey also ran for 21 yards.Â
On defense, Angel King had an interception and led the Wildcats with 11 total tackles, including six solo tackles.Â
Mayson Hitchens had eight tackles with two tackles for loss, and Kao Hansen had seven tackles. BJ Carey also had two tackles for loss.Â
The Wildcats continue their three-game road trip to start the season next Saturday night at the University of Arizona in Tucson.Â
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Team Stats
WSU 0, JMU 7
JMU - Barnett III,Alonza 11 yd run (Suarez,Morgan kick), 10 plays, 78 yards, TOP 04:46
WSU 0, JMU 14
JMU - Alston,Isaiah 20 yd pass from Barnett III,Alonza (Suarez,Morgan kick) 10 plays, 59 yards, TOP 05:16
WSU 0, JMU 21
JMU - Sluka,Matthew 1 yd run (Suarez,Morgan kick), 10 plays, 57 yards, TOP 04:34
WSU 0, JMU 28
JMU - Ellis,Landon 14 yd pass from Sluka,Matthew (Suarez,Morgan kick) 3 plays, 31 yards, TOP 00:39
WSU 7, JMU 28
WSU - Kjar,Noah 14 yd pass from Gilkey,Jackson (Calder,Sloan kick) 2 plays, 21 yards, TOP 00:44
WSU 10, JMU 28
WSU - Calder,Sloan 51 yd field goal 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 01:00
WSU 10, JMU 31
JMU - Suarez,Morgan 38 yd field goal 8 plays, 56 yards, TOP 03:42
WSU 10, JMU 38
JMU - Knight,Wayne 59 yd run (Suarez,Morgan kick), 3 plays, 67 yards, TOP 01:02
WSU 10, JMU 45
JMU - Evans,JC 5 yd run (Suarez,Morgan kick), 1 plays, 5 yards, TOP 00:06
