The Oregon Ducks are set to make their postseason debut at Autzen Stadium this Saturday, and it won’t be a walk in the park. Standing in their way is No. 12 seed James Madison - a 12-1 Sun Belt champion that’s been steamrolling opponents all year and isn’t coming to Eugene just for the scenery.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT, with the game airing on TNT.
And while Oregon enters as the higher seed and the presumed favorite, the Dukes bring a loaded roster with a handful of playmakers who can turn this into a four-quarter fight. Let’s break down five James Madison players Ducks fans need to know ahead of Saturday’s College Football Playoff opening round.
QB Alonza Barnett III - The Engine of the Offense
2025 Stats (13 games):
- 193-of-322 (59.9%) for 2,533 yards
- 21 TDs, 8 INTs
- 115 carries for 544 yards (4.7 YPC), 14 rushing TDs
Barnett is the heart of this JMU offense - and the Sun Belt Player of the Year for a reason. He’s a true dual-threat quarterback, capable of burning defenses with his legs or his arm, and he’s been doing both all season long. Whether it’s a designed QB run or an off-script scramble, Barnett has consistently delivered big plays in both phases of the game.
He's thrown a touchdown in all but two games this year and rushed for one in all but three. That kind of consistency in production is rare - especially for a player who wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school. But Barnett has turned himself into a legitimate star.
That said, he’s not without flaws. Turnovers have crept into his game late in the season - he’s tossed a pick in six straight contests and lost a couple of fumbles along the way.
His lone Power 4 opponent this year, Louisville, held him to just 102 passing yards and negative rushing yardage thanks to six sacks. That game may be a blueprint for Oregon’s defense.
Still, Barnett’s improvisational ability makes him dangerous. He’s the type of quarterback who can turn a broken play into a backbreaker. The Ducks will need to contain him - not just in the pocket, but in the chaos.
RB Wayne Knight - The Home Run Hitter
2025 Stats (13 games):
- 190 carries for 1,263 yards (6.65 YPC), 9 TDs
- 37 receptions for 379 yards (10.2 YPC), 1 TD
Don’t let the 5-foot-7 frame fool you - Wayne Knight is a problem. He led the Sun Belt in rushing and ranks among the top 10 in the FBS in total rushing yards. He’s also one of the most explosive backs in the country, leading the nation in runs of 40-plus yards (seven), and ranking near the top in breakaway runs over 20 and 30 yards.
Knight is the centerpiece of a JMU ground game that’s fifth in the country, averaging 245.6 yards per game. The Dukes have topped 300 rushing yards five times this season, and Knight has been the driving force behind that success - including a career-best 212-yard performance in the Sun Belt title game against Troy.
He’s not just a between-the-tackles runner, either. Knight is a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield, with nearly 400 yards through the air.
Oregon’s defense will need to account for him on every down, and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi didn’t mince words: *“Wayne Knight is an NFL player at running back. He can play in any conference on any team.”
WR Landon Ellis - The Deep Threat
2025 Stats (12 games):
- 33 receptions for 541 yards (16.4 YPC), 5 TDs
James Madison doesn’t air it out often - they run the ball nearly two-thirds of the time - but when they do, they go big. And Landon Ellis is the guy most likely to be on the receiving end of those deep shots.
Nearly half of Ellis’ targets this season have come on routes 10+ yards downfield, and a significant chunk of his production has come on balls thrown 20+ yards. He’s the most complete wideout in JMU’s rotation, and he’s not just a vertical threat - he’s also third on the team in yards after catch.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett ranks 20th nationally in average depth of target, and Ellis is a big reason why. He’s complemented by Nick DeGennaro and Braeden Wisloski, who also stretch the field, but Ellis is the one who can flip a drive - or a game - with a single play.
DL Sahir West - The Breakout Star
2025 Stats (13 games):
- 43 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 4 pass deflections
Sahir West wasn’t on many radars before the season, but that’s changed in a hurry. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive end exploded onto the scene as a freshman and took home Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. He’s long, athletic, and disruptive - and he saved his best for last.
In the conference championship game against Troy, West was a one-man wrecking crew: 10 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks. That kind of production from a first-year player is eye-catching, and it’s no surprise he’s already generating attention as a potential transfer portal target for Power 4 programs.
Oregon’s offensive tackles will need to be sharp. West isn’t just a pass rusher - he’s active in the run game and has a knack for getting into passing lanes. The Ducks can’t afford to let him wreck the rhythm up front.
LB Trent Hendrick - The Defensive Anchor
2025 Stats (13 games):
- 96 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 pass deflections
If Sahir West is the rising star, Trent Hendrick is the steady hand. The senior linebacker capped off his career with a dominant season, earning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors. He nearly doubled his tackle total from a year ago and became the heartbeat of this JMU defense.
Hendrick has been a starter for three years and brings a ton of experience to the middle of the field. He’s had four double-digit tackle games this season, including a career-high 12 against Marshall. At 6-foot, 234 pounds, he’s got the size to hang with Oregon’s physical offensive front, and he’s smart enough to sniff out plays before they develop.
He’s not flashy, but he’s incredibly effective - the kind of linebacker who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
Final Thoughts
James Madison might not carry the brand-name recognition of other playoff teams, but this is a group that’s earned its spot. They’ve won 12 games, captured a conference title, and bring a dynamic offense paired with a hungry, opportunistic defense.
For Oregon, the key will be limiting explosive plays - particularly from Barnett and Knight - and winning in the trenches. But underestimate the Dukes at your own risk. This team is physical, fast, and full of confidence.
Saturday’s showdown at Autzen should be a good one. And if the Ducks want to advance, they’ll need to bring their A-game against a JMU squad that’s been proving doubters wrong all season.