JMU football announces 2015 schedule

James Madison University director of athletics Jeff Bourne announced the schedule for the 2015 football season today, including six home games at Bridgeforth Stadium.

“A six-game home schedule is what we work to achieve as often as possible,” Bourne said.  “It is also great to have a schedule like this where our fans, especially those in Virginia, can drive a reasonable distance and catch the Dukes at every game during the season, as the longest trip from Harrisonburg is less than four hours away. We are excited to give our fans a great schedule to catch our football team, both home and away.”

“This is a solid conference schedule for JMU Football for 2015,” head coach Everett Withers said. “Having an opportunity to play six games at Bridgeforth Stadium in front of our great fan base will be a big positive for the team in 2015. Our road games are all close to campus which helps JMU Nation travel with the team and give us a home atmosphere on the road. This is a great set up for the 2015 Dukes! ”

The Dukes open with three straight games at the friendly home confines of Bridgeforth Stadium, starting with Morehead State on Sept. 5. The following weekend, Lehigh returns the game from the 2014 season before Madison opens CAA play, hosting Albany on Sept. 19.

JMU heads on the road for the first time in 2015 on Sept. 26, making the short journey to Lynchburg, Virginia to take on the Liberty Flames of the Big South Conference. Another home CAA game gives the Dukes their fourth home game in five weeks, this time hosting Stony Brook Oct. 3 during Family Weekend.

From there, Madison will be on the road for two straight weeks, traveling to Towson Oct. 10 as well as making its first trip to Elon on Oct. 17. JMU will welcome back its alumni for Homecoming on Oct. 24, hosting arch-rival Richmond at Bridgeforth Stadium. Another rivalry game follows the next weekend, with the Dukes traveling to Williamsburg to take on William & Mary, Oct. 31.

The 2015 season’s open date comes on Nov. 7, followed by another key road game to Delaware Nov. 14. The regular season will wrap up at home for the second consecutive season, this time with Villanova coming to Harrisonburg Nov. 21.

The starting times for all home games will be set at a later date in conjunction with the Colonial Athletic Association television contracts.

The 2015 Division I Football Championship Playoffs will begin Nov. 28, with the 24-team bracket wrapping up with the 2016 NCAA Championship Game in January 2016 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

Season tickets for next year’s football season will go on sale in early 2015.  A pre-sale forClub Level seating is underway now for fans interested in premium seating in Bridgeforth Stadium.