By Ben Paul 

BOCA RATON, Fla – The 11th annual Boca Raton Bowl, held at Flagler Credit Union Stadium, saw James Madison take down Western Kentucky by a score of 27-17 on Wednesday evening.

In a thrilling back-and-forth outing that saw seven lead changes, the Dukes (9-4) prevailed with strong performances on both sides of the ball.

With the win, James Madison achieved the first bowl victory in program history, occuring in just their second season as a Division I football team. 

Boca Raton, FL – December 18, 2024 – FAU Stadium: Omarion Dollison (9) of the James Madison University Dukes during the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
(Photo by Megan Briggs / ESPN Images)

FIRST HALF

Both teams traded three-and-outs on the opening possession before JMU struck first on their second drive. Freshman quarterback JC Evans broke open for multiple key runs, first a 27-yarder followed by a seven-yard touchdown to give the Dukes a 7-0 lead.

The Hilltoppers drove the ball down to the opposing 26-yard line, but on a third-and-12, a completed pass up the middle was knocked out by sophomore nickel DJ Barksdale and recovered by redshirt senior LB Jacob Dobbs for the game’s first turnover. The ensuing drive ultimately stalled and WKU took over.

An eight-play Hilltopper drive culminated in a 17-yard score off a screen pass from redshirt sophomore QB Kaden Veltkamp to redshirt sophomore WR Moussa Barry to tie the game early in the second quarter. With less than a minute to go in the half, Veltkamp found redshirt senior WR Dalvin Smith in a tight window for an 11-yard touchdown, taking the 14-7 lead going into the locker room.

Boca Raton, FL – December 18, 2024 – FAU Stadium: James Madison University Dukes during the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
(Photo by Rich Storry / ESPN Images)

SECOND HALF

An 11-play Dukes’ drive ended in a 1-yard jump pass from Evans to redshirt senior TE Kyi White, the first touchdown of both players careers, tying the score at 14. On the very next possession, sophomore LB Gannon Weathersby took advantage of an errant backwards pass to scoop up the fumble to give the ball right back to JMU.

Redshirt junior kicker Noe Ruelas converted a 28-yard field goalto take a three-point lead at the end of the third quarter. WKU responded immediately with Veltkamp hitting Smith, who took the ball 65 yards to James Madison territory, leading to a 31-yard field goal to tie the game.

The Dukes took the lead back and never surrendered it with nine minutes remaining when senior TE Taylor Thompson made a spectacular, falling touchdown grab from 21 yards out. The bowl was sealed with a monstrous Khairi Manns sack, forced fumble, and recovery on the same play, resulting in a 25-yard FG to extend the lead to 10.

Boca Raton, FL – December 18, 2024 – FAU Stadium: James Madison University Dukes during the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
(Photo by Rich Storry / ESPN Images)

GAME MVPS

Offense: QB JC Evans – 10 carries, 64 yards 2 TDs (1 passing, 1 rushing)
Defense: Nickel DJ Barksdale – 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FF
Special Teams: P Ryan Hanson – 4 punts, 144 yards, 46 LNG

JAMES MADISON STATS & NOTES

• The Dukes had 11 tackles for loss, their second game this season with double digits
• Redshirt sophomore RB George Pettaway had 100 yards on just 14 carries
• Entering the game as the nation’s leader in turnover margin, JMU recorded three takeaways to the Hilltopper’s zero
• Evans, Thompson, Wright’s touchdowns were the first of each of their collegiate careers
• Redshirt junior DL Eric O’Neill registered his 13th sack of the season, moving him to fourth in the country
• Weathersby recorded 2.5 TFLs to lead the team

WESTERN KENTUCKY STATS & NOTES

• WKU moves to 2-1 in Boca Bowl matchups
• Veltcamp finished the afternoon with 302 yards on 25-for-39 passing and two touchdowns
• Johnson tied his season-high with eight receptions in the first half
• Senior DB Keyshawn Swanson led the defense with 11 tackles, his second game in a row with 10+
• Smith’s 76 yards, on just two catches, were a season-high

QUOTABLE

James Madison:
Head Coach Bob Chesney

“Just a great moment in the history of our program to be the first ever [bowl winning team]. To do anything for the first time is a big deal, to do it down here in Boca at a bowl game matters a lot to not only this program, but to the community and all these young men that believed. To assemble a group like we did in a very short period of time and having them believe and fight for one another, and having the next man up mentality throughout the entire day, throughout the entire week, really throughout the entire year. Then we talk about it all the time that at some point the light shines on you, but when that does, it will either reveal you for all of the work you have done or expose you for the work you didn’t do…they battled, they stayed the course, they never gave up and I’m glad that the light shined on them andthey had a chance to reveal the hard work they have done on ESPN tonight.”

Redshirt Junior QB Billy Atkins

“It was definitely surreal for sure. Guys around me know that Iwent through some very tough times at JMU. The fact that I got to go out here and play for these guys and really try to win a game for the guys that I started with, it was big for me.”

Freshman QB JC Evans

“It’s honestly an unbelievable feeling. We have put in this work since January and I didn’t know how much I would play, but I thought I would make the most of it. I just have so much trust in these guys that brought me in…I want to put this all on the offensive line and the guys who have been working just as hard as I have been since January.”

Western Kentucky:
Head Coach Tyson Helton

“Congratulations to James Madison, they played a good game. We had our opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize on them, so hats off to them. I appreciate the Boca Bowl for another great bowl, our guys really enjoyed it and hopefully we can make it back there again.”

Senior WR Kisean Johnson

“It has been a blessing, that’s all I really can say. I just thank Coach Helton, Coach Mizell [Wide receivers Coach ZakMizell], Coach J.B. [Director of Player Engagement Justin Brown], [Chief of Staff] Travis Taylor, I thank them for just giving me the opportunity. It was a season of ups and downs, but I learned a lot about myself. I’m just looking forward to the next step of my life, next step of my journey, next step of my career. I’m blessed regardless, I’m walking off the field with my head high with a smile.”

Senior DB Keyshawn Swanson

“Of course there were plays out there that we thought we could have made. But overall, I feel like our guys did the best they could…there are no regrets on the defensive side, I love these boys to death, I wouldn’t change anything in the world.”