BREAKING NEWS: Louisville Cardinals Schedule James Madison for 2025 Clash at L&N Stadium
April 21, 2025 – Louisville, KY
The University of Louisville football program has announced a new addition to its 2025 schedule, securing a single-game contract to face James Madison University on September 6, 2025. The matchup, which will take place at L&N Stadium, is part of the Cardinals’ strategic reshuffling of their non-conference lineup and comes after a previously scheduled game against Indiana was removed from the calendar.
The agreement brings James Madison, one of the most competitive Group of Five programs in recent years, to Louisville in what promises to be an intriguing early-season test. The Dukes, who made a name for themselves with strong showings in the Sun Belt Conference and a swift transition to FBS football, have developed a reputation as a giant-slayer, making them far from an easy opponent.
University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird confirmed the development in a statement released Monday morning.
“We are excited to welcome James Madison to L&N Stadium in 2025,” Heird said. “They’ve proven themselves to be a competitive, well-coached program, and this will be a great opportunity for our team and fans to experience a high-quality early-season game. With the change in our non-conference schedule, this matchup gives us the flexibility we needed while still maintaining a strong level of competition.”
The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the Louisville Cardinals and the James Madison Dukes. The game will be the second of Louisville’s 2025 season and is part of a larger slate that includes eight home games, giving fans in the Derby City plenty to look forward to.
While some fans may see the change from a Big Ten opponent like Indiana to James Madison as a step down, analysts are cautioning against underestimating the Dukes. Since joining the FBS ranks in 2022, JMU has routinely been ranked in the AP Top 25 and has upset several Power Five programs along the way. Their hard-nosed defense and disciplined play style have made them a team no one takes lightly.
For Louisville, the 2025 season represents a pivotal year in its development under head coach Jeff Brohm, who returned to his alma mater in 2023 with high expectations. After a strong showing in 2023 and a transition year in 2024 marked by a young roster and growing pains, the Cardinals are aiming to contend for the ACC title and secure a major bowl appearance.
Facing JMU early in the season will offer the Cardinals an opportunity to measure their readiness against a disciplined and scrappy opponent. It will also allow Brohm to further evaluate his squad before they dive into the heart of their ACC schedule.
Kickoff time and TV broadcast information for the Louisville vs. James Madison game will be announced at a later date.
As the Cardinals finalize their preparations for the 2025 campaign, fans can mark September 6 as a key date on the calendar—a chance to see how far Louisville has come and how they stack up against one of the nation’s most respected underdog programs.