CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Former Grimsley quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who led the Whirlies to a state championship back in 2020, had the game of his young career in James Madison's 70-50 upset win over North Carolina on Saturday in Chapel Hill.
Barnett finished the game 22-of-34 for 388 yards and five passing touchdowns, adding another 99 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His seven total touchdowns were a James Madison single-game record.
The Grimsley alum wasted no time making his presence known Saturday, as he took the ball on a zone read on the Dukes' first play of the game for 38 yards. James Madison jumped out to an 11-0 lead on UNC, but the Tar Heels quickly battled back to take a 14-11 advantage. That would be the last time head coach Mack Brown's team was ahead Saturday.
Barnett found Omarion Dollison for a 69-yard touchdown on James Madison's next drive, and the quarterback had a hand in three more touchdowns before the first half was over. The Dukes put an exclamation point on the first half by scoring on a 33-yard pick-six with 56 second left in the second quarter.
The 53 points James Madison scored in the first half were the most given up by UNC to an opponent in any half in program history.
A three-star prospect out of high school, Barnett received offers from nine schools in total, including Army, Georgia State and Charlotte. This is his first year starting for the Dukes after attempting just 12 total passes across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Dukes running back George Pettaway ran for 87 yards on 16 carries. Pettaway joined James Madison this offseason after transferring from UNC.
James Madison is in its first season under head coach Bob Chesney. Before taking over as the Dukes' head coach, he coached Holy Cross to five consecutive Patriot League Championships.
The Dukes are in their third season as an FBS team.