UNC football vs James Madison score today: Tar Heels trail by ...

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Jacolby Criswell talks return to UNC football, being Tar Heels' QB

Following UNC football's win vs NC Central, quarterback Jacolby Criswell discussed his return to Chapel Hill and the chance to play again for the Tar Heels.

The North Carolina Tar Heels football team matched a program-worst performance in its stunning 70-50 loss to the James Madison Dukes on Saturday at Kenan Stadium.

The Tar Heels (3-1) hadn't allowed 70 points in a game since a 70-41 loss at East Carolina in 2014. In its three previous wins against James Madison (3-0), UNC won by average of four touchdowns.

Now, the Dukes have beaten an ACC team in consecutive seasons, topping the Tar Heels after defeating Virginia in 2023. UNC had five turnovers and James Madison scored on its final five drives of the first half to reach 50 points.

Here are the highlights from UNC vs. James Madison from Kenan Stadium.

UNC vs James Madison score updates

Live scoreboard:

This section will be updated once the game begins.

James Madison matched ECU for the most points scored against UNC in the Dukes' 70-50 win at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels have never allowed more points at home.

James Madison reached 70 points late in the fourth quarter against UNC, matching the worst performance for a Tar Heel defense in program history.

UNC had another fumble in the fourth quarter for its fifth turnover of the game.

Omarion Hampton's third rushing touchdown cut James Madison's lead to 19 early in the fourth quarter.

James Madison will carry a 60-38 lead into the fourth quarter against UNC.

UNC trails 60-38 with 3:08 left in the third quarter. The Tar Heels blocked a punt and Davion Gause returned it for a touchdown.

The Tar Heels trail 60-24 in the third quarter. James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett has four passing touchdowns and two rushing TDs.

James Madison has a 53-21 lead against UNC at halftime.

Following a pick-six, which was UNC's fourth turnover, James Madison extended its lead to 53-21 with 56 seconds left in the first half.

UNC has three turnovers in the first half against James Madison, which has a 46-21 lead against the Tar Heels.

James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett helped the Dukes extend their lead to 25 in the second quarter on a long touchdown run. UNC trails 46-21 with 7:14 left in the second quarter. It was the fifth straight scoring drive for the Dukes'.

A fumble in the second quarter gave James Madison a chance to extend its lead.

UNC's defense has no answer for James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett, who added a 13-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to extend the Dukes' lead to 39-21.

James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett extended the Dukes' lead to 32-21 in the second quarter.

Bryson Nesbit's catch-and-run touchdown trimmed James Madison's lead to 25-21 with 14:33 left in the first quarter.

UNC trails James Madison 25-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Following the onside kick, Alonza Barnett capped a drive with a touchdown run to give James Madison a 25-14 lead late in the first quarter.

Following a long touchdown pass for James Madison, the Dukes took an 18-14 lead against UNC and recovered the ensuing onside kick.

UNC running back Omarion Hampton scored on a 28-yard touchdown run to give UNC its first lead. The Tar Heels are up 14-11 with 4:08 left in the first quarter.

John Copenhaver caught a touchdown pass from Jacolby Criswell to put UNC on the board. The Tar Heels trail 11-7 early in the first quarter.

James Madison blocked a UNC punt early in the first quarter and returned it for a touchdown to extend its lead to 11-0 after a two-point conversion. The Tar Heels are in trouble early.

Following a field goal on its opening possession, James Madison got a takeaway with a fumble recovery on UNC's first drive. The Tar Heels were in the red zone when Christian Hamilton fumbled after a catch.

UNC vs James Madison time today

Date: Saturday, Sept. 21

Start time: Noon

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The UNC vs. James Madison game starts at Noon from Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.

What channel is UNC vs James Madison on today?

TV Channel: ACC Network

Livestream: Fubo (free trial), ESPN+

UNC vs. James Madison will be broadcast on ACC Network in Week 4 of the 2024 college football season. Jorge Sedano and Orlando Franklin will call the game from the booth at Kenan Stadium, with Morgan Uber reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Jones Angell, Bryn Renner, Joe Jauch and Lee Pace will have the radio call on the Tar Heel Sports Network.

UNC vs James Madison on Fubo (free trial)

UNC vs James Madison history

Series record: UNC leads all-time series 3-0

UNC's last win: 2016 (56-28)

James Madison's last win: N/A

UNC vs James Madison prediction

UNC 38, James Madison 20: The Dukes have won 21 of their last 26 games, but they won’t have an answer for Omarion Hampton. The Tar Heels will win again by leaning on their run game and defense.

UNC vs James Madison betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM will be posted as they become available.

Spread: UNC is a 10.5 points favorite

Over/under: 48.5 points

Moneyline: UNC (-450), James Madison (+333)

UNC vs James Madison injury updates

The latest injury updates will be provided in the pregame.

UNC vs James Madison weather update

The high for Saturday is 83 degrees, but temperatures at kickoff are expected to be around 79 degrees under sunny skies in Chapel Hill. Wind speeds will be 2-4 mph, with gusts up to 11.

UNC football 2024

• Aug. 29: at Minnesota (W, 19-17)
• Sept. 7: Charlotte  (W, 38-20)
• Sept. 14: NC Central 
• Sept. 21: James Madison 
• Sept. 28: at Duke
• Oct. 5: Pitt
• Oct. 12: Georgia Tech
• Oct. 19: OPEN 
• Oct. 26: at Virginia
• Nov. 2: at Florida State
• Nov. 9: OPEN 
• Nov. 16: Wake Forest
• Nov. 23: at Boston College
• Nov. 30: NC State

James Madison 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31: at Charlotte (W, 30-7)
• Sept. 7: Gardner-Webb (W, 13-6)
• Sept. 14: OFF
• Sept. 21: at UNC
• Sept. 28: Ball State
• Oct. 5: at ULM
• Oct. 10: Coastal Carolina (Thursday)
• Oct. 19: at Georgia Southern
• Oct. 26: Southern Miss
• Nov. 2: OFF
• Nov. 9: Georgia State
• Nov. 16: at Old Dominion
• Nov. 23: at Appalachian State
• Nov. 30: Marshall

UNC football news

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

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