The much-anticipated 2024 Boca Raton Bowl will showcase two exciting teams: the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) and the James Madison Dukes (8-4). The game will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. ET at FAU Stadium, with ESPN broadcasting the event. BetMGM's college football odds currently favor James Madison by 7 points. Nevertless, the match will be a thrilling contest between two competitive teams, each with their own storyline heading into the bowl game.
Teams and Coaches: A Championship Mindset
For Western Kentucky, this will be their third appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl, marking an unprecedented achievement for the program under the leadership of Head Coach Tyson Helton. Reflecting on their past bowl experiences, Helton spoke highly of the event’s organization and hospitality, which he described as second to none. "We have been blessed to be in six bowls since I’ve been here," said Helton. "This is by far the best."
Helton is focused on his team’s commitment to winning. For Western Kentucky, the Boca Raton Bowl is not just a reward for the season—it’s a championship game. He emphasized the significance of this bowl matchup, saying it would mean a lot for his players and the program as a whole. Helton also recognized James Madison's strong defense and excellent coaching under Bob Chesney, calling it a fantastic football team.
Coach Chesney, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play in the Boca Raton Bowl, especially considering the challenges his program has faced over the past year. After a season marked by player transitions, including 60 new players, Chesney’s focus has been on uniting the team and building strong relationships both on and off the field. He noted how crucial this bonding process has been for James Madison's success and for having a shot at winning the game.
James Madison's First Bowl Game: History in the Making
This game is particularly important for James Madison, as it marks the first-ever bowl game in the history of the program. Chesney shared how special it is for his team to be competing in the Boca Raton Bowl and how it is a testament to the hard work put in during the season. "This would be our first-ever bowl win, so there’s a lot that is behind this," said Chesney. "It would be a huge deal for everybody and I think it would set the standard for the future."
Key Matchup: Dukes and Hilltoppers
One of the standout features of this bowl game is the contrast in the teams’ rushing abilities. James Madison boasts the 28th-ranked rushing offense in the country, averaging an impressive 191.7 yards per game. The Dukes will be up against the 130th-ranked rush defense in the nation, as Western Kentucky allows a hefty 221.9 rushing yards per game.
On the flip side, Western Kentucky ranks 104th in the nation, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Meanwhile, James Madison holds a solid defense, giving up only 3.7 yards per carry, ranking them 28th in college football in that category.
Recent Performance: James Madison and Western Kentucky’s Last Games
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James Madison ended its regular season with a 35-33 loss to Marshall on November 30th. Despite a strong showing from Alonza Barnett III, who threw for 138 yards with two touchdowns, the Dukes fell just short. Jobadiah Malary was also key on the ground, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown.
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Western Kentucky, on the other hand, had a tough outing, losing 52-12 to Jacksonville State on December 6th. Caden Veltkamp threw for 141 yards and one touchdown but struggled to keep up with Jacksonville State's offense. Elijah Young was a bright spot for the Hilltoppers, rushing for 108 yards, but the team could not overcome their defensive lapses.
Players to Watch
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James Madison:
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Alonza Barnett III has thrown for 2,596 yards this season with 26 touchdowns, ranking 14th in college football in passing touchdowns. He also has 459 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, making him a dual-threat quarterback.
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George Pettaway is the leading rusher with 876 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He’s also contributed in the passing game with 24 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
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Yamir Knight has been a reliable receiver with 48 receptions for 567 yards and four touchdowns.
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Western Kentucky:
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Caden Veltkamp has thrown for 2,806 yards this season, with 23 touchdowns. He’s shown consistency with a 66.6% completion rate, though he has thrown 10 interceptions.
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Elijah Young has rushed for 846 yards this season and scored three touchdowns. He is also a key target in the passing game, with 43 receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns.
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Kisean Johnson is the top receiving option with 66 catches for 855 yards and seven touchdowns.
Facts & Figures: Comparing the Teams
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James Madison has outscored opponents by an average of 13 points per game, a significant advantage over Western Kentucky, which has outscored opponents by only 1 point per game.
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In terms of passing, James Madison ranks 79th in the nation with 218.8 passing yards per game, while its pass defense ranks 37th, allowing just 198.4 yards per game.
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Western Kentucky ranks 88th in points scored (averaging 25.5 points per game) and 65th defensively (allowing 24.5 points per game).
The Importance of South Florida: Recruiting and Bowl Experience
The Boca Raton Bowl, owned by ESPN Events, is a postseason college football game featuring teams from top conferences like the American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt, plus select independents. Celebrating 10 years, the Boca Raton Bowl has reached over 30 million households and generated $250 million in sponsorship value. It has launched more than 50 NFL players, with six conference champions and three division champions competing.
The Boca Raton Bowl is not just about the game itself. For both teams, this bowl game serves as a key recruiting tool in the highly competitive South Florida region. Western Kentucky, which has done well in recruiting players from Florida, sees the game as an opportunity to continue expanding its footprint in the area. Coach Helton pointed out that Florida’s high school football programs provide a fertile ground for discovering top talent, and the bowl game provides excellent exposure.
For James Madison, this bowl game represents a valuable recruiting opportunity, particularly for players from Florida. Chesney acknowledged the quality of football in the region and how the competition in South Florida helps prepare his team for high-level matchups. "The football that is played here, the caliber of football, the types of players... these kids know and understand what the weight room is like and what it takes to play at the next level," he explained.
A Special Trophy: The Howard Schnellenberger Trophy
At stake for both teams is the Howard Schnellenberger Trophy, named in honor of the legendary coach who helped build the foundation of the Boca Raton Bowl. For Western Kentucky, winning this trophy would be a major milestone, especially considering how seriously they treat bowl games. Coach Helton expressed the importance of the trophy, saying, “There’s a great honor in winning that trophy.”
For James Madison, winning the trophy would be particularly meaningful as it would mark the program’s first bowl win. Chesney reflected on the significance of claiming the trophy, acknowledging that it would have a lasting impact on the program’s future.
What to Expect: A Thrilling Matchup
The 2024 Boca Raton Bowl promises to be a thrilling contest with high stakes for both teams. The game will feature two talented football programs each looking to end their seasons on a high note. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will look to capitalize on their bowl experience and explosive offense, while the James Madison Dukes will look to make history with their first-ever bowl victory.
Football fans can expect a hard-hitting, action-packed game, with both teams determined to bring home the win. Whether it’s the outstanding defense of James Madison or the high-scoring offense of Western Kentucky, there will be no shortage of excitement in this year’s Boca Raton Bowl.
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