Former Saints standout KeShaun Moore earned his first start for James Madison University last Saturday.

The college football season kicked off last week, and some good thing happened for a familiar face in Suffolk. Moore, a Nansemond-Suffolk Academy alumnus, got his first college start at linebacker last Saturday as JMU took on North Carolina State. It was a big deal for Moore, who was a redshirt last year only to step in the following year and make his first start.

“It felt good to be out there,” he said. “I am glad I was finally able to play with the older players and contribute.”

JMU is coming off its second consecutive season in the national championship game. They lost last year but won the year before. JMU is still a prominent college football program for Moore to be a part of.

Moore used camp this summer to impress his coaches and have a chance at seeing more playing time. He learned more of the playbook, and due to an injury at the position, he was able to step in and take on the starting role. Moore believes it was any college player’s dream to be able to start in an NCAA Division I college football game.

“This was something I always looked forward to,” he said. “I feel like it is every player’s dream to start their first college game. Being comfortable with my teammates and coaches helped me feel better about playing as much as I did. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be.”

He finished the game with eight total tackles, good for third on the team.

JMU faces Norfolk State University this week in Norfolk, so Moore will have a chance to start again and possibly in front of some friends and family.

“It will be a special moment, because a lot of my family and friends haven’t seen me play college ball in person,” Moore said. “So it’ll be a proud moment for everyone there.”