2016 James Madison Dukes football team


The 2016 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by first year head coach Mike Houston and played their home games at Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. They finished the season 14–1 overall with an 8–0 mark in CAA play to win the conference title. They received the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, where they defeated New Hampshire, Sam Houston State, and five-time defending champions North Dakota State to advance to the National Championship Game, where they defeated Youngstown State. This was their first national championship since 2004.

Previous season

In 2015, the Dukes finished with a record of 9–3, 6–2 in CAA play, to finish in a first-place tie with Richmond and William & Mary. They received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs and hosted Colgate in the second round. The Dukes lost to the Raiders, 44–38, and were eliminated from the playoffs.

Schedule

Roster

Game summaries

Morehead State

Overall recordLast meetingResult
6–22015W 56–7

Central Connecticut

Overall recordLast meetingResult
2–02013W 38–14

at North Carolina

Overall recordLast meetingResult
0–22011L 10–42

at Maine

Overall recordLast meetingResult
11–52012W 31–7

Delaware

Overall recordLast meetingResult
9–142015W 24–21

William & Mary

Overall recordLast meetingResult
21–172015L 41–44

at New Hampshire

Overall recordLast meetingResult
7–82013L 17–33

Rhode Island

Overall recordLast meetingResult
8–32012W 32–7

at Richmond

Overall recordLast meetingResult
15–182015L 49–59

at Villanova

Overall recordLast meetingResult
12–122015W 38–29

Elon

Overall recordLast meetingResult
4–02015W 51–0

FCS Playoffs

Second Round–New Hampshire

Overall recordLast meetingResult
8–810/15/16W 42–39

Quarterfinals–Sam Houston State

Semifinals–North Dakota State

Overall recordLast meetingResult
0–12011 FCS PlayoffsL 14–26

It was this game that ended NDSU's streak of five consecutive FCS titles.

Championship–Youngstown State

Overall recordLast meetingResult
1–32006 FCS PlayoffsL 31–35

Ranking movements