The James Madison Dukes have added the Duquesne Dukes to their 2027 football schedule, according to JMU’s official athletics website.
James Madison will host Duquesne at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2027. The game will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.
Duquesne is a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Dukes finished the 2024 season 8-3 overall and 5-1 in NEC action.
James Madison now has three scheduled non-conference opponents for the 2027 season. The Dukes are scheduled to open the season on the road against the Maryland Terrapins on Sept. 4 and, one week after hosting Duquesne, will visit the Delaware Blue Hens on Sept. 18.
With an eight-game Sun Belt Conference football schedule, James Madison only needs one additional non-conference opponent to complete its 2027 slate.
Other FCS opponents on James Madison’s future schedules include Weber State in 2025, Wagner in 2026, and Norfolk State in 2030.
James Madison is the first known non-conference opponent for Duquesne in 2027. If the FCS moves to a permanent 12-game football schedule next season, the Dukes can schedule a total of five non-conference games per season.
FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
Duquesne is alma mater of best Referee in NFL Jim Tunney #32 & I like to give him credit for handling 1988 Fog Bowl with My Bears & My Eagles & My all-time favorite bad weather game in NFL.
Dukes vs Dukes
It´s always funny when these matchups between teams with the same mascot happen. I would know.
Jim Tunney is long ago retired and is not the best referee in the NFL anymore. All-time I would have to go with Gene Steratore as my top NFL official, but Tunney is close, and no doubt, in the conversation.
I see this game being wiped out when Duquesne moves down. They started out strong under Joe Walton, but the NEC is a sinking ship that is only getting weaker as they continue to add to departures from D-II and new start programs. Walton wasn’t a great coach to begin with, and it was easier to start up a program in that era than now with NIL and the portal.
Pardon JM I am a Fan of History Buddy.
Tunney retired 35 years ago following 1990 NFL season.