Troy engineered a stunning second-half surge to erase a 21-point deficit, defeating the defending Sun Belt Conference champions James Madison 24-21 in an overtime thriller on Thursday night, according to WSFA reporting.
Justin Powe Interception Sparks Troy Comeback
Playing on the road in Harrisonburg, Troy found itself in deep trouble by halftime. James Madison controlled the opening two quarters, jumping out to a 21-7 advantage. JMU quarterback Camden Coleman tossed two touchdown passes, while Seth Cromwell added a rushing score to establish what appeared to be an insurmountable lead.
The game turned in the third quarter when Troy’s defense finally broke through. Defensive back Justin Powe intercepted a pass from JMU quarterback JC Evans, returning it 37 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-14. That defensive score ignited the sideline and shifted the momentum completely.
Troy quickly capitalized on the sudden shift. Running back J. Merriweather broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run with 6:25 remaining in the third quarter, evening the score at 21-21. The Trojans defense locked down from there, holding off James Madison through a scoreless fourth quarter to force overtime.
Troy Secures Conference Victory in Overtime
In the overtime session, Troy finished the improbable comeback, securing a much-needed conference victory. Quarterback Tucker Kilcrease finished the night completing 14 of 29 passes for 152 yards while adding 35 yards on the ground. Miquon Merriweather powered the rushing attack with 81 yards and a touchdown, while Keno Jones added a crucial fumble recovery in the second quarter.
The win served as a vital response for Troy following a heartbreaking 21-14 home loss to Louisiana-Monroe the previous Saturday, a contest where the Trojans surrendered 18 points in the final three minutes. Thursday’s result also provided redemption of sorts, acting as a rematch of the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Game, which James Madison won 31-14.
