On Friday, the Liberty Flames announced a set of four games against James Madison in 2025, 2026, 2031 and 2032. This includes two home games in Lynchburg (2025, 2032) and two in Harrisonburg (2026, 2031).
This four-game set goes along with the two other games that were announced for the 2033 and 2034 seasons.
The last time these two teams faced off was in 2014 when the Flames beat the Dukes 26-21. 2025 will mark their first matchup in what would be 11 years. It will also be the first matchup with both programs playing at the FBS level.
In 2023, Liberty went undefeated through the regular season and win the Conference USA championship. Their undefeated dream would end against the Oregon Ducks in the Fiesta Bowl, losing 45-6.
For the Dukes, 2023 was their second year in FBS. Like in 2022, they were successful and went 11-2. Their second loss of the season came in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, falling 31-21 to Air Force.
Both teams have gone through some change in the months since. JMU lost starting and Sun Belt Player of the Year quarterback Jordan McCloud to the transfer portal and head coach Curt Cignetti is now at Indiana. The Flames lost wide receiver CJ Daniels, cornerback Kobe Singleton and safety Preston Hodge, in addition to others, to the transfer portal.
Both teams reached the AP top 25 in 2023 and were regarded as two of the best Group of Five teams in the country.
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