It was only three years ago that James Madison transitioned from FCS to FBS football. For many schools even getting to a bowl game takes years. However, that’s not the case with the Dukes. After losing in the Armed Forces Bowl to Air Force a year ago they found themselves in a bowl once again. The second time was the charm as James Madison wins the Boca Raton Bowl over Western Kentucky 27-17.
Dukes Get Their First Bowl Win
Back And Forth
Heading into Wednesday’s game at Howard Schnellenberger Field on the campus of Florida Atlantic University the Hilltoppers were unsure about their quarterback. Starter Caden Veltkamp put his name in the portal and there were questions on whether he would play. Not only did he play but got WKU off to a hot start. A seven-yard run from JC Evans got the Dukes on the board midway through the first quarter.
From there Veltkamp took over leading the Toppers to two scores. The first came on a 17-yard pass to Moussa Berry tying it up early in the second quarter. Then, just before the half an 11-yard strike to Dalvin Smith made it 14-7 Hilltoppers. However, as we hit the second half the tables turned on defense.
Really Clamping Down
Coming into the Boca Raton Bowl the Dukes led the nation in the turnover margin. They added to that by forcing three fumbles. On the other side of the ball James Madison was without starting quarterback Alonza Barrett III, who was injured in the regular season finale against Marshall. In his absence, JMU turned to turn signal callers, Wildcat quarterback JC Evans and Billy Atkins.
Early in the second half, Evans found Kyi Wright on a one-yard score tying it at 14. On the ensuing drive, Smith fumbled which was recovered by Gannon Weathersby. Eight plays later a 28-yard field goal from Noe Ruelas put the Dukes up 17-14.
Clutch Drive
Western tied the game at 17 on a 31-yard field goal by Lucas Carniero. If you read our game preview we talked about how bowl games involving the Hilltoppers tend to have either a huge rally or some sort of fantastic finish.
However, on this day it was James Madison who thrived down the stretch. Turning to Atkins, who had thrown one pass this year and three in the last two years, calmly led what was the game-winning drive. Completing four of five passes Atkins hit Taylor Thompson on a 21-yard strike and it was 24-17.
From there the defense took over again. A Khairi Mans strip sack and fumble recovery with 3:02 left effectively ended Western’s comeback attempt. It was the fifth time this year they’d had three or more takeaways. One more field goal from Ruelas put JMU up by 10. That’s how things ended as James Madison wins the Boca Raton Bowl 27-17.
Players Of The Game
Starting his first game since 2022 Atkins completed 16 of 23 passes for 181 yards and a score. In addition, Evans completed one pass for a touchdown and ran for 64 more yards. Star running back George Pettaway rushed for 100 yards. All totaled the Duke gained 212 on the ground against a team that had allowed more than 1,100 yards on the ground over the last three games.
On the Western Kentucky side Veltkamp, the Conference USA offensive player of the year, threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Howeve,r the Toppers were held to only 16 yards rushing while Smith led the receivers with 76 yards.
Final Thoughts
As we said in the beginning give new coach Bob Chesney tons of credit. Not only did JMU have to replace head coach Curt Cignetti, who went 11-2 last year he took a lot of players with him. Finishing 9-4 after bringing in close to an entirely new roster is a huge accomplishment.
Western Kentucky and coach Tyson Helton finished the year at 8-6 and saw a four-game bowl winning streak snapped.
At the end of the day it’s all about the Dukes as they get their first bowl win after being an FBS school for only three years.
Team effort – history made 🏆#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/U0I08Ycsnl
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) December 19, 2024
Thanks for checking out our recap as James Madison Wins The Boca Raton Bowl 27-17.
Photo courtesy Getty Images
