James Madison’s Alonza Barnett III Could Get an Oscar Nomination for All-Time Flop

The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 2, 2025, and will recognize the best films and performances of 2024. Nominees in each category will be announced on January 17, 2025.

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

Barnett threw two touchdown passes to lead the Dukes to a 30-7 victory over Charlotte to open their 2024 season. But his most memorable moment from Saturday night’s game might be this flop, a moment that may go down as the funniest of the entire college football season. On a play early in the fourth quarter, the passer got into an altercation 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 were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the down was replayed.

However, we must also give credit to James Madison offensive lineman Joseph Simmons. The offensive tackle rushed to Barnett’s aid, even going so far as to administer “CPR” to his quarterback.

That should earn him a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.