James Madison and its stingy rush defense will face run-happy Air Force in Armed Forces Bowl

Sun, Dec 3, 2023
NCAAF News (AP)

No. 24 James Madison (11-1, Sun Belt) vs. Air Force (8-4, Mountain West), Dec. 23, 3:30 p.m. EST

LOCATION: Fort Worth, Texas

TOP PLAYERS

James Madison: QB Jordan McCloud has passed for 3,400 yards and 32 touchdowns. DL Jalen Green was leading the nation with 15.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss among 50 overall stops before sustaining a season-ending knee injury last month.

Other news Iowa defense slows down No. 2 Michigan, but stagnant offense costly for No. 18 Hawkeyes No. 4 Florida State beats No. 15 Louisville 16-6 for ACC title, but could miss playoff at 13-0 No. 2 Michigan beats No. 18 Iowa 26-0 for Big Ten title, likely to claim top playoff seed

Air Force: Emmanuel Michel (733 yards, TDs) leads four Falcons who have rushed for at least 431 yards apiece. Zac Larrier (579, five TDs), John Lee Eldridge III (515, six) and Owen Burke (431, three) follow.

NOTABLE

Damian Wroblewski will serve as JMU's acting head coach after Curt Cignetti was hired last week at Indiana. The Dukes lead the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 61.5 yards per game.

Air Force ranks second in FBS rushing at 275.8 yards per game and is 10th in rushing defense, yielding just 96.3 per contest.

LAST TIME

First meeting.

BOWL HISTORY

Air Force will make its record seventh appearance in the bowl game and is 15-13-1 lifetime. The Falcons beat Baylor 30-15 in last year's game. James Madison is transitioning from FCS and playing in its first bowl.

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