Liberty and James Madison met on the gridiron 11 times in 13 seasons from 1980 through 1992. After an eight year hiatus, the series renewed in the 2000s with seven games in 14 years including the most recent meeting in the 2014 FCS Playoffs. Since that time, both programs have moved up to the FBS and will meet for the first time in 11 years on Saturday. Liberty’s last home win over JMU came on Sept. 30, 1989, less than a month before Williams Stadium opened as the Flames have never defeated the Dukes at the Bill. Liberty has only faced two opponents more often than JMU (Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb).
This is the first of 10 matchups which have been added to future schedules as the Battle of the Blue Ridge rivalry has officially been labeled and the two teams will meet for a trophy. Here’s a brief look at the previous meetings, with JMU leading the all-time series, 12-6:
October 11, 1980 in Harrisonburg: JMU 30, Liberty 14
September 26, 1981 in Lynchburg: JMU 36, Liberty 14
September 24, 1983 in Harrisonburg: JMU 44, Liberty 35
September 22, 1984 in Lynchburg: JMU 52, Liberty 43
September 21, 1985 in Harrisonburg: Liberty 9, JMU 3
September 20, 1986 in Lynchburg: Liberty 17, JMU 7
October 1, 1988 in Harrisonburg: JMU 31, Liberty 28
September 30, 1989 in Lynchburg: Liberty 19, JMU 14
September 8, 1990 in Harrisonburg: Liberty 22, JMU 19
November 2, 1991 in Lynchburg: JMU 35, Liberty 34
November 7, 1992 in Harrisonburg: Liberty 34, JMU 31
September 9, 2000 in Harrisonburg: JMU 38, Liberty 7
November 23, 2001 in Lynchburg: JMU 14, Liberty 7
August 30, 2003 in Harrisonburg: JMU 48, Liberty 6
September 26, 2009 in Lynchburg: JMU 24, Liberty 10
September 25, 2010 in Harrisonburg: JMU 10, Liberty 3
September 17, 2011 in Lynchburg: JMU 27, Liberty 24
November 29, 2014 in Harrisonburg: Liberty 26, JMU 21
The Flames scored three times and held No. 15 JMU’s potent offense in check in the second half, allowing No. 20 Liberty to advance in the NCAA FCS Playoffs, the first (and only) ever Liberty win in the FCS Playoffs. Liberty had a 17 play drive in the 4th quarter that gave the Flames the lead with less than three minutes remaining.
