Evans hat trick of rush TDs marks return as JMU rolls Southern Miss 54-23

JC Evans did not ease back in. In his first start since the Liberty opener injury, he ran for three touchdowns, threw for another and pushed James Madison past Southern Miss 54-23 on Thursday night at M.M. Roberts Stadium. JMU is 8-2 (5-2 Sun Belt). Southern Miss is 3-6 (2-3).

Evans went 19 of 26 for 251 yards and a 16-yard touchdown to Seth Cromwell. On the ground he scored from 3 yards in the first quarter and from 16 and 2 in the third. James Madison's account posted the third rushing score under the caption "MAKE IT A HAT TRICK."

The return that flipped the night

Camden Coleman had started the previous eight games. Evans took the job back and stayed efficient. Corey Scott stretched the field with six catches for 138 yards. Morgan Suarez stayed perfect on four field goals (32, 31, 40, 34) and six extras for 18 points, including the 40-yarder that put JMU ahead 16-14 at halftime after Southern Miss had briefly led.

Once Evans' second and third rushing scores landed, the Dukes pulled away. Jackson McCarter's 30-yard run made it 44-14. Coleman checked in during the fourth and threw a 26-yard touchdown to Michael Scott.

John White kept Southern Miss in yardage range, completing 22 of 35 for 266 yards and a 34-yard touchdown to Mario Sanders, plus an early 3-yard rushing score. Kaden Saunders caught six passes for 122 yards. The Golden Eagles still managed only 88 rushing yards. JT Hooten wrecked the pocket with three sacks.

James Madison finished with 498 yards and no turnovers after consecutive losses had stacked for the first time since the end of the 2024 regular season, per the Associated Press.

What stood out

1. Evans' rush hat trick in his first start since Liberty.
2. Suarez: 4-of-4 field goals, 18 points.
3. Corey Scott: 138 receiving yards.
4. Hooten: three sacks.
5. Coleman relief TD after eight straight starts as the QB.

JMU visits UConn on Nov. 14. Southern Miss goes to Louisiana Tech.

Evans finished with 19 completions, zero interceptions, three rushing scores and a clean handoff to Coleman once the game was decided. Per the Associated Press, James Madison had lost consecutive games for the first time since the end of the 2024 regular season, so the road statement mattered.

Southern Miss generated 266 passing yards and still lost by 31. The ground game stalled at 88 yards, and Hooten wrecked early downs. The Golden Eagles are 2-3 in Sun Belt West play and visit Louisiana Tech next.