James Madison’s Alonza Barnett III might earn an Oscar nomination for an all-time flop

Alonza Barnett III threw a pair of touchdowns against Charlotte but nothing will top this flop

The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 2, 2025, and will honor the best films and performances from 2024. On January 17, 2025, the nominees in each category will be announced.

James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III should be among those nominees in the “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” category.

Barnett threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Dukes to a 30-7 road win over Charlotte to open their 2024 season. But his most memorable moment from Saturday night’s game might this flop, a moment that might go down as the funniest of the entire college football season. Following a play early in the fourth quarter the passer got into things with Charlotte defensive lineman Dre Butler. At the end of the exchange, Barnett was shoved by Butler, leading to this all-time flop:

Both Barnett and Butler received offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and the down was replayed.

However, we also have to pay tribute to James Madison offensive lineman Joseph Simmons. The offensive tackle alertly rushed to Barnett’s aid, even going as far as to “administer CPR” to his quarterback.

Which should earn him a nominee for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.”