Western Kentucky has made a habit of winning the Boca Raton Bowl, while James Madison is pretty much a newcomer to the Football Bowl Subdivision postseason scene.
The teams will clash in the bowl game Wednesday in Boca Raton, Fla.
It will be the second bowl game for James Madison, which first became eligible last year upon moving up to full FBS status. The Dukes lost last year to Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.
“Really excited about winning this first bowl game in school history,” first-year coach Bob Chesney said.
Western Kentucky (8-5), with about two dozen players in the transfer portal, could be hurt in terms of personnel for the game. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp entered the portal but will play in the game.
The Hilltoppers are 2-0 in the Boca Raton Bowl, defeating Memphis in 2016 and Appalachian State in 2021. They’re coming off a 52-12 loss to Jacksonville State in the Conference USA championship game Dec. 6 after winning that matchup in the regular season.
“We’ll rebound and go get a big bowl win,” said Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton, who holds a 4-1 bowl record. “It’s an honor to play in a bowl game, and it’s an even greater honor to go win a bowl game.”
James Madison (8-4) has lost its last two games, including 35-33 in double overtime to visiting Marshall on Nov. 30 to wrap up Sun Belt Conference play.
The Dukes likely will play without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who was banged up in the regular-season finale vs. the Thundering Herd. Redshirt junior Billy Atkins will start in the bowl.
“He’s ready to go, and he has taken a ton of reps,” Chesney said. “He has been here the whole time. I’m excited for Billy to get his shot. He’s an old soul in there. … Billy has been preparing like he’s the starter.”
The Dukes have cranked up good rushing totals recently, and that could be a bonus with less experience at quarterback. Jobi Malary racked up a season-high 106 rushing yards in the Marshall game.
“All these guys understand the run game has to be a big part of what we do this game,” Chesney said.
Western Kentucky had two of Conference USA’s top players.
Veltkamp, who threw for 23 touchdowns and 2,806 yards this year, was named the Offensive Player of the Year. He was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in last year’s Famous Toastery Bowl.
C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year went to kicker Lucas Carneiro, who is 17-for-18 on field goals and 39-for-39 on extra points.
The Hilltoppers will want to be crisp on offense, with James Madison leading the country in turnover margin at plus-17.
Western Kentucky’s defense has allowed an average of nearly 5 yards per carry. Defenders Darius Thomas, Hosea Wheeler and Dallas Walker hit the portal.
Chesney, wrapping up his first season with an FBS program, said many of the Dukes are fired up about the bowl destination.
“Some guys are returning back home to Florida, so that will be nice for them,” Chesney said. “This is a big bonus that we’re playing in this bowl game.”
This will be James Madison’s first game in Florida in 24 years. It also will be the first meeting between the Dukes and Hilltoppers.
–Field Level Media