It was a historic day for James Madison University, as for the first time in school history they can call themselves Bowl Champions. The Dukes battled with Western Kentucky for nearly the entire game, ultimately pulling away late, getting a forced fumble from Khari Manns late in the 4th quarter which they used to go up two scores and win the 2024 Boca Bowl 27-17.
For first year head coach Bob Chesney it was a successful end to his first year at JMU, as the Dukes finished 9-4 with a Boca Bowl victory and he saw his team overcome adversity without quarterback Alonza Barnett III, using QBs Billy Atkins and JC Evans in a dual threat role successfully. On the defensive side of things, they used an aggressive performance of 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles to limit a normally explosive WKU offense which was key to their victory.
JMU could have been in a rough position when Curt Cignetti departed for Indiana, however the Dukes persevered and won a bowl game in the first year of a new head coach. According to Chesney, this is a win which can give this team momentum moving forward.
“It’s momentum. I think anytime you’re positive momentum, that’s it, right? We talk about recycling energy all game, every game, every play, and not letting it die down. And we have unbelievable fans. We have an unbelievable community. This just continues to add to that momentum of this program. And I just think that again, I said before, but we put this team together very, very quickly. We had a lot of people that believed, a lot of people that learned a lot about each other on a personal level, and they fought every single day for each other, and we came up short of moments, but we never wavered,” Chesney said.
It’s never easy to come to a new place and win right away, however for Bob Chesney he led a transition which although had some bumps in the road, ended in a very positive way which leaves the door open for more success in the future. With the transfer portal currently being open, it could have been easy for either side to lack the wherewithal to play to the best of their abilities, however that was not the case in this one as both sides came to play, but JMU found a way to win.
There is no exact recipe for success, however there are little things coaches and players pick up on throughout a year which lead them to believe why things are going the way that they are. For Chesney, what led them to be successful in year 1 of a new regime, was the interpersonal relationships that they built, as they helped them preserve through the hard times in the end.
““I think the chemistry, and the ability for these guys to come together, we spend a lot of time not just talking about football. We actually spend a lot of time not talking about football, really. And we talk about each other’s why and their purpose and why do they play this game. And, you know, Billy got up and talked to the team last night, but every single person on this team has talked about their purpose and their why. And when you have that insight into who they are as humans. I think they give a really good shot at accomplishing almost anything. This is obviously a transactional, fast paced world, and you know, it’s a week to week business, and you love us and you hate us, depending on you know how we do the week before. And I just think that you know when we know in that locker room, you know what we are and who we are as people that matters the most. And that’s what, ultimately, you know, leads you to these moments where you can fight for and with each other no matter what you’re up against,” Chesney said.
The Dukes were led against the Tops by 2 quarterbacks, as Billy Atkins and JC Evans combined to hurt the Hilltoppers through the air and on the ground. Atkins completed 16 of 23 passes for 181 yards and a TD, while JC Evans completed his lone pass of the day for 1 yard and a score, also rushing 10 times for 64 yards and another TD.
Evans provided the spark that the Dukes offense needed at times, however it was Atkins who was the steady hand all throughout the game, persevering through an up and down tenure during his years at JMU to lead his squad to victory. College sports is a journey and for Atkins it has been one which has seen its highs and lows, however tonight was a redemption game and one he will never forget.
“It was definitely surreal, for sure. I think the guys around me know that I went through some very tough times here at JMU. Things did not necessarily go how I drew it up so, you know, the fact that I got to go out here and play for these guys, and try to win a game for the guys I started with, was big for me. I honestly never thought I would ever step foot again on this field like for JMU after my sophomore year. Things were said, things were done. So the fact I got to come back out here and I redeemed myself a little bit to finally go out here and play and meant the world to me,” Atkins said.
For WKU, it was a tough end to their season as they lose the CUSA championship to Jax State and a close battle with JMU got away from them late, however according to Tyson Helton the goal heading into next season remains unchanged, as they look to compete for a championship again with the work starting in January.
“I didn’t have a message for next year. I just wanted to thank the guys for last year, for this season, and this was a very special team to meet. You know, a bunch of great men that were very honorable. Love to compete, and I really enjoyed them. You know, now, when we get back in January, the message will be, let’s go work. So it’s a new season, and you’re constantly trying to go win a championship. So that would be the, may be the goal for next year,” Helton said.
In game recap:
A game between 2 relatively high powered offenses started with a bit of a defensive showcase on the first 2 possessions. JMU started with the ball and had just 2 short rushes, a gain of 2 and 3, from George Pettaway and Jobi Malary, however Billy Atkins 3rd and 5 pass fell incomplete marking a 3-and-out for the Dukes on their first drive of the game.
There was not much going for Western Kentucky on their first drive of the day, as Elijah Young lost 3 yards on his first carry of the day, and although Caden Veltkamp started his day with back to back completions, they only went for 1 and 5 yards, leaving the Hilltoppers short of the sticks and forcing a punt back to JMU after a 3 and out.
The Dukes woke up on their second drive of the day, using freshman QB JC Evans to bully their way up the field, getting 43 yards on 4 carries from him and on 2nd and 3 from the 7 he pushed his way into the endzone, giving JMU a 7-0 lead with 8:03 to play. With Alonzo Barnett injured, the Dukes needed a spark and early in this game they got one from their dual-threat freshman QB.
WKU was looking to respond early, however the JMU defense was not giving up anything easy early. Veltkamp placed 2 accurate balls to his best receivers Kisean Johnson and Easton Messer, however they were both dropped and their only positive play was a rush from Young for one yard, which meant back to back 3 and outs for WKU to start their day.
JMU looked to feed off the defense following their second straight 3 and out forced, taking over at their own 28 yard line and they got 2 positive plays after their drive started 5 yards back from a false start. Evans took a QB Keeper for 7 yards and Billy Akins completed a pass for 6 yards, however on 3rd and 2 they only gained a yard which brought up a pivotal 4th and 1. The Dukes opted to go for it and Malary was stuffed by WKU, losing a yard and giving the Hilltoppers a 1st and 10 at the JMU 42.
The Hilltoppers looked to respond, set up with amazing field position and Young busted off a gain of 17 on the first play of the drive, however a few plays later a 3rd and 12 was brought up and Veltkamp connected with KD Hutchison, however just a yard short of the 1st down he fumbled and JMU recovered at their own 15 yard line.
JMU went back to work looking to put their 4 and out behind them, however the WKU defense was not letting up. George Pettaway gained 8 yards on back to back carries bringing up a 3rd and 2, however Atkins 3rd down pass fell incomplete, marking a 3 and out.
WKU took over with 1:31 to play in the 1st quarter at the JMU 48 and they were looking for their first score of the day. Caden Veltkamp completed 3 straight passes, 2 to Kisean Johnson and picked up a first down to close out the 1st quarter.
2nd Quarter
To start the second quarter, Veltkamp found Johnson again for a gain of 17 and a few plays later on 3rd and 5 Veltkamp found Moussa Barry from 17 yards out for a score to even the game at 7 with 13:34 to play in the 2nd quarter.
The Dukes looked to respond to WKU on their next drive and they started with good momentum. Evans and Pettaway started with 22 yards on 3 carries, pushing the Dukes past midfield. Evans connected with Omarion Dollison for a gain of 10 to move the sticks after a Pettaway 4 yard carry, however after that the drive stalled. JMU gained just 3 yards over the next 3 plays and that brought up a 47 yard field goal attempt for Noe Ruelas, however it was wide right and the game remained tied at 7 with 9:33 to play in the half.
Western Kentucky’s offense was rolling at this point in the half, as Veltkamp connected with Easton Messer for a gain of 20, however JMU’s defense responded after that. Elijah Young and KD Hutchison lost 5 yards combined on 2 carries and although Veltkamp connected with Johnson for 6 yards, the drive was short of the sticks and JMU punted back to WKU with 6:06 to play in the half.
JMU started with some success getting 25 yards of 2 completions from Atkins to Dollison and Knight, but after that the defense for WKU stood up. They forced an Atkins incompletion and stuffed a Knight and Pettaway run and JMU was forced to punt back to WKU with 2:46 to play in the half.
The WKU offense woke back up in a big way on their next drive, as Veltkamp found Easton Messer for a gain of 30 and Kisean Johnson for a gain of 36 to move them well past midfield. A few plays later, Veltkamp found Dalvin Smith in the endzone for an 11 yard TD to give WKU a 14–7 lead with 51 seconds remaining.
The Dukes put together a solid drive with 51 seconds remaining, getting 2 big completions from Atkins to Knight and Dollison to set up a 56 yard field goal. Ruevas had a rough first half as his kick was blocked and the game went to half with WKU holding a 14-7 lead.
3rd Quarter
WKU started with the ball to start the second half and the JMU defense was ready to roll out of the gates. Back to back incompletions from Veltkamp and a short gain of 2 brought up a quick 3 and out less than 1 minute into the half, JMU had the ball back 1st and 10 at the WKU 25.
James Madison had a spark to start their next drive, as they were deep into WKU territory in just 5 plays, getting a 33 yard completion from Atkins to Dollison which set them up at the Hilltopper 15. After 3 carries netted 14 yards, 1st and goal from the one was an easy completion from JC Evans to Kyi Wright, first career TD throw and catch each and the game was evened at 14.
Things looked to be moving in a positive direction for the Hilltoppers, gaining 27 yards on a completion from Veltkamp to Matheson and a 16 yard carry from Young which set them up 1st and 10 at the JMU 49. Veltkamp attempted a backwards lateral to Dalvin Smith on the ensuing play and it was fumbled and recovered by JMU at their own 40 with 6:45 to play in the 3rd.
JMU had a short field and looked to capitalize after that, starting with 2 carries for 15 yards total and a completion from Atkins to Knight for a gain of 5 to move them inside the WKU 20. They ultimately did, as after the drive stalled out following a defensive stand, they converted on a 28 yard field goal to give JMU a 17-14 lead with 2:25 to play in the 3rd.
4th Quarter
WKU got one of the most explosive plays of the game on their ensuing drive, a 65 yard completion from Veltkamp to Dalvin Smith, making up for the fumble just a few drives ago. The drive moved them inside the JMU 5 to the 4, however on 1st and goal they were flagged for offensive pass interference and the drive stalled. WKU converted on a 31 yard field goal just 2 plays later, evening the game at 17 with 14:13 to play in the 4th quarter.
On the next drive, the Dukes took over, getting back to back big plays, a 3rd and 6 conversion from Atkins to Yamir Knight and a Pettaway 15 yard carry which moved them across midfield to the WKU 42. 2 plays later it was Atkins again, this time connecting with Dylan Williams for 15 more yards to move them down to the WKU 23. On the ensuing set of downs, JMU faced a 3rd and 6 and Atkins dropped back and found Taylor Thompson in the endzone for a 21 yard TD to give the Dukes a 24-17 lead with 9:20 to play.
WKU didn’t have much going on their next drive, as it started with a 10 yard holding penalty and they were never able to recover, ultimately going 3 and out and punting it back to JMU with 7:32 to play.
It was much of the same for JMU on their ensuing drive, as they lost 6 yards on 2nd and 8 and their 3rd and 14 pass attempt went only for 3 yards and in just over 2 minutes, they went 3 and out and punted back to WKU with 5:07 to play.
WKU needed a response and after a 3rd and 10 pass from Veltkamp to Moussa Barry went only for 9 yards they opted to go for a 4th and 1, converting with a tush push to move near midfield at their 41 yard line. Disaster struck on the ensuing 1st down, as Veltkamp was stripped and sacked by Khari Manns, fumbling and Manns recovered at the WKU 34 with 3:02 remaining, leaving them in dire need of a stop.
The short field was too much to overcome for the Hilltoppers, as on first down Pettaway broke free, gaining 21 yards on a carry and moving JMU down to the WKU 13 yard line. WKU’s defense did the best they could, however JMU was still well into field goal range and converted from 25 yards out to extend their lead to 2 scores, 27-17 with 1:57 to play.
WKU was able to get a few chunk plays, as Veltkamp connected with Easton Messer and KD Hutchison for 33 yards over 3 plays, however their drive ultimately stalled out, turning it over on downs back to JMU with 50 seconds to play, effectively ending the game. JMU went on to take 2 knees and win the 2024 Boca Bowl, their first ever bowl win in school history.