Evans returns with 4 total TDs as JMU routs Southern Miss 54-23

JC Evans threw a touchdown pass, ran for three more and led James Madison past Southern Miss 54-23 on Thursday night at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg. The Dukes improved to 8-2 (5-2 Sun Belt). Southern Miss fell to 3-6 (2-3).

It was Evans' first start since he was hurt in JMU's season-opening win over Liberty. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, and he rushed 13 times for 47 yards and scores of 3, 16 and 2 yards. Corey Scott caught six passes for 138 yards. Morgan Suarez made field goals from 32, 31, 40 and 34 yards and finished with 18 points.

How JMU took control

Suarez opened with a 32-yard kick, and Evans scored from 3 yards for a 10-0 lead. John White answered with a 3-yard rush, Suarez hit from 31, and Steven Robinson's 2-yard run put Southern Miss ahead 14-13 with 37 seconds left in the half. Suarez's 40-yarder as time expired restored a 16-14 James Madison lead at the break.

Evans scored from 16 and 2 yards in the third quarter. Early in the fourth he threw a 16-yard touchdown to Seth Cromwell, and Jackson McCarter added a 30-yard rushing score for a 44-14 cushion.

White found Mario Sanders for a 34-yard touchdown, but Camden Coleman, the prior starter who had started the previous eight games, entered and hit Michael Scott for a 26-yard score. Creighton Wilbanks and Suarez traded late field goals.

White finished 22 of 35 for 266 yards and one touchdown, plus the early rushing score. Kaden Saunders had six catches for 122 yards. JT Hooten had three sacks for the Dukes. JMU outgained Southern Miss 498-354 with no turnovers.

Top performers

1. JC Evans, JMU: 19 of 26, 251 yards, one passing TD; three rushing touchdowns.
2. Morgan Suarez, JMU: 4-of-4 field goals (long 40), 6-of-6 extras, 18 points.
3. Corey Scott, JMU: six catches, 138 yards.
4. JT Hooten, JMU: three sacks.
5. John White, USM: 22 of 35, 266 yards, one passing TD, one rushing TD.

James Madison visits UConn on Nov. 14. Southern Miss plays at Louisiana Tech the same day.

The Dukes needed a clean night after consecutive losses. Evans gave them one. He never threw an interception, Suarez never missed a kick, and the defense sacked White three times through Hooten alone. Southern Miss crossed midfield enough to post 354 yards, yet the Golden Eagles managed only 2.4 yards per carry and converted 3 of 14 third downs.

Attendance was 24,182 on a Thursday night in Hattiesburg. James Madison's road win keeps the Dukes firmly in the Sun Belt East mix at 5-2 in league play.