Hayden Wolfe booted a game-winning 27-yard field goal in overtime as Troy rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to stun James Madison, 24-21, Thursday night at Bridgeforth Stadium.

Troy's win avenged last year's Sun Belt Championship Game and, in the process, ended the Dukes' 11-game home winning streak.

The Trojans (4-4, 2-2 SBC) won the coin toss in overtime and elected to play defense. James Madison (7-2, 2-2) picked up one first down before Keno Jones stuffed Seth Cromwell on 4th-and-1 from the 5-yard line.

Troy kept the ball on the ground in overtime, rushing six times for 16 yards, including a critical 8-yard gain by Gavin Griffin on 3rd-and-6 from the 21-yard line.

Wolfe, who missed from 49 yards on Troy's final possession of regulation, booted the game-winner straight down the middle of the uprights, marking Troy's first game-winning field goal in the final minute of play or in overtime since 2020.

Troy's defense forced five turnovers in the victory, three of which came on interceptions by Justin Powe, tying a Troy school record. The biggest came on the second play of the second half, when he picked off JC Evans and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown.

Powe became the first Trojan since Montres Kitchens at Idaho in 2014 to intercept three passes in a game. He's the first player nationally since App State's Tae Hayes (Oct. 7, 2017) to record three interceptions, two pass break ups and a touchdown in a game.

The Trojan defense held the Dukes off the scoreboard over the final 38:41 of the game after the home team jumped out to a 21-7 lead, including touchdowns on its first two drives.

Jones finished with a game-high 13 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Donnie Smith recorded his seventh sack of the season. It was Smith's 16th game with a sack over the past two seasons, the most in the country.

Jaheim Merriweather tied the game with a 28-yard touchdown run with 7:36 left in the third quarter. It capped a 3-play drive after Jordan Perry jarred the ball loose from Jeremiah Harrison and Miquon Merriweather recovered the fumble.

Griffin put the Trojans on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. It was a critical drive for the Trojans after JMU scored on two Camden Coleman touchdown passes, building a 14-0 lead.

Quotable – Troy Head Coach Gerad Parker
"What a moment for our football team, for Troy, and for all the people back home. We're still Troy; it just took us a half to get there. I'm just so happy for our staff, players, and for all of Trojan Nation."

Up Next
Troy returns to The Vet on Saturday, Nov. 7, for Homecoming against Sun Belt newcomer Louisiana Tech (5-2, 3-0). Kickoff between the Trojans and Bulldogs is set for 3 p.m.