HARRISONBURG — Confetti poured into the sea of purple that had stormed the field at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to celebrate James Madison’s second national championship last January.

It was the pinnacle of so many careers — JMU coach Mike Houston captured his first national title and a senior class reveled, knowing it had overcome multiple setbacks in the previous seasons only to win it all in the end.

And then there was Brandon Hereford, who stood by himself in street clothes, on the field and a few feet to the left of the platform where his coach and his teammates raised the championship trophy as the sun set in The Lone Star State.

Close enough to see his friends soak in every bit of the glory that comes with greatness, but not close enough to be part of it.

“It was really weird,” Hereford said. “It was a very humbling experience.”

The linebacker, now a senior, was one of seven JMU players suspended for last year’s national semifinal and championship games. Hereford and senior wide receiver Terrence Alls, who also missed both postseason contests due to the suspensions, have made every minute since be about fulfilling their second chance and helping JMU get back to Texas.

That’s why Hereford, speaking for the first time since last year after the Dukes’ second-round playoff win over Stony Brook, said he made the trip on his own dime to the title game and watched it from the stands a year ago.

“I had to make the trip for my teammates,” Hereford said. “It was still a blessing to be part of the team and I had to make the trip. I paid the money to see the team win and it was definitely worth the trip. I was just happy for my guys that day.”

It’s the same reason why Alls, who watched the championship game on television at his apartment in Harrisonburg, made sure to meet his teammates at JMU’s Athletic Performance Center in the middle of the night when they returned home from beating Youngstown State.

“I wanted to make sure I met my teammates and congratulate them when they got back,” Alls said. “It was awesome because I hadn’t seen them for a while, so for them to do what they did and for me to be there, it was very good. It also made me more focused with what I had to do personally to make sure I’m there for them at all times.”

The suspensions — which were handed down for undisclosed reasons — carried into this season, so both couldn’t get back on the field until Sept. 30 when the Dukes played at Delaware.

Alls started and Hereford played plenty against the Blue Hens. The two have become more and more part of the Dukes’ plan as the season has gone along as well.

Entering this week’s FCS quarterfinal against Weber State, Alls leads JMU with 43 catches for 535 yards and two touchdowns. Hereford has 45 tackles, four sacks and also returned an interception for a score during a win over Villanova in October.

“You have a couple of guys that were significant contributors for us last year and then all of a sudden to have football taken away from them, I think it really caused them to really appreciate the opportunities they have in life,” Houston said. “And I think since they’ve been back, just the appreciation for the ability to go out and represent James Madison University and to be able to compete wearing that uniform, I think it was something they just have a tremendous appreciation for and I think that’s driven them.

“I think they both have responded and have had really solid seasons.”

In the second-round victory over Stony Brook this past Saturday, Alls had 10 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. He was the first JMU receiver since 2004 to have 10 catches in a game.

Hereford had five tackles and drilled Seawolves quarterback Joe Carbone on the first series of the game. Carbone wasn’t ever able to get comfortable afterward and finished with five costly interceptions.

“What happened makes you cherish being part of this defense,” Hereford said. “I was more excited to do my job better this year. I made sure to fit in the gaps, listen to the coaches more, watch more film and to pay more attention to everything. When you lose something, you really start to recognize the blessings that you have on a different level.”

Alls said he felt the same way.

“I just remember last year sitting out those last two games and watching and knowing what I could have been doing to help the team,” Alls said. “So this year I was motivated to do what I’m doing now and get us back to that point, so we can all relive that moment together.

“When adversity comes, you have to fight through it. And [Saturday], it’s been quite a long time since anyone here had 10 catches, so I feel honored to do that and especially with us dominating the game the way we did. So next week, I’ll try to do it again and I know teams will adjust, so we’ll have to adjust, but I’m confident our coaches will put us in the right situation and it’s up to us to execute.”

Kickoff on Friday between JMU and Weber State is set for 7 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium.