This year’s matchup promises to be one of the best ones yet in our decade +1 history.
Western Kentucky (8-5) comes to our bowl game following a great season in Conference USA (CUSA) where the Hilltoppers reached the conference championship game. James Madison (8-4) is from the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) and the Dukes have had a fantastic year, including that eye-popping 70-50 win at North Carolina back in September.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
Western Kentucky is making its third trip to the Boca Raton Bowl and the Hilltoppers came away with wins in their first two trip to Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. In 2016, WKU defeated Memphis, 51-31, and then in 2021 defeated Appalachian State, 59-38. The winning points total in those two games ranks first and third in our record book (second was FAU’s win over SMU in 2019, 52-28). The Hilltoppers head coach is Tyson Helton, who has led his team to their sixth-consecutive bowl berth this season. He has a 4-1 record in those previous games, making him one of the winningest in bowl games among current head coaches in all of college football.
Hilltoppers’ sophomore quarterback Caden Veltkamp took over the starting role after the original starter suffered an injury in the third game of the season. He’s thrown for 2,806 yards which is second in CUSA and also ranks third in total offense with 2,968 yards. As a freshman, Veltkamp came on in relief in the Famous Toastery Bowl with the Hilltoppers trailing by 28 points, rallying his team in what
would be the fourth-largest comeback ever in a bowl game to outlast Old Dominion, 38-35. Veltkamp earned offensive MVP honors for the performance.
Veltkamp gets to throw to receivers Kisean Johnson and Easton Messer, both ranked in CUSA’s Top 10 in receiving yards with 855 yards and 725 yards, respectively. He also has senior running back Elijah Young to hand the ball off to. Young ranked sixth in CUSA with 846 rushing yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Hilltoppers’ senior defensive back Devonte Mathews had a team-leading 89 tackles and two interceptions. Matthews also has four fumble recoveries with ranked second nationally. Sophomore linebacker Darius Thomas missed all of last season due to injury but bounced back this year to post 47 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Placekicker Lucas Carneiro has been a standout for WKU, earning CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week a league-leading three times and made it to the semifinalists list for the Lou Groza Award which is presented annually by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. He made a school record 15 field goal tries in a row and led CUSA with 17 total field goals on the season.
Another note related to WKU – defensive backs assistant coach Da’Von Brown is from Palm Beach County, went to Royal Palm Beach High School and played at FAU. He was on the ESPN West Palm Top 63 list in 2016, representing the best players in our county. Brown has played in the Boca Raton Bowl twice, in 2017 and
2019, making him the first student-athlete to return to our bowl game as a coach of a participating team.
JAMES MADISON
James Madison is in its first year as a full-fledged member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Last season the Dukes were in transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and were not immediately eligible to play in a bowl game. But after finishing the regular season 11-1, bowl berths were still available after all bowl-eligible teams had been placed and JMU earned a trip to the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. Thus, while being in their first season of full membership in FBS, the Boca Raton Bowl will be the second bowl game in which they will play.
The Dukes also have a new head coach in Bob Chesney who was announced as the program’s next leader in December 2023. Chesney came from Holy Cross where he’d guided the Crusaders to five-straight Patriot League titles and was named the conference’s Coach of the Year three times. Chesney’s path to JMU included stops at the NCAA Division II and III levels as well as FCS where he won 111 games in 14 seasons.
JMU is first in nearly every defensive category in the SBC, holding opponents to 322.2 yards in total offense per game and only 123.7 rushing yards per game. The Dukes are also the top-ranked scoring defense in the SBC, allowing only 20.8 points per game.
With a team defense putting up those numbers, there are bound to be multiple individual standouts. Senior cornerback
Terrence Spence is third in the nation with five interceptions and also third nationally in blocked kicks with two. Senior linebacker Jacob Dobbs is third in the SBC in tackles at 9.1 per game and first in fumbles recovered with two. Junior defensive lineman Eric O’Neill is 11th nationally in tackles for loss with 17.5 and 12th in sacks with 12. Senior defensive lineman Khairi Manns is sixth in the SBC in tackles for loss with 11.5 and fourth in sacks with eight.
Sophomore quarterback Alonza Barnett III has had a standout season that saw him earn multiple national Player of the Week honors in September after passing for 388 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for another 114 yards and two touchdowns in a 70-50 win at North Carolina. Barnett’s seven touchdowns (five passing and two rushing) set a JMU record. Barnett is on the national watch lists for the Maxwell Award and the Davey O’Brien Award.
The Dukes also boast a potent rushing attack with sophomore running back George Pettaway leading the way with 880 yards, good for sixth in the SBC, and an eye-popping 6.04 yards per carry which ranks 21st nationally.
Special teams is also an area of strength for the Dukes. Junior placekicker Noe Ruelas is second in the SBC in scoring at 8.2 points per game and senior punter Ryan Hanson, who is on the Ray Guy Award watch list, is third in the SBC at 42.9 yards per punt.
Doug MosleyExecutive Director
The final regular-season Top 25 and first-ever College Football Playoff bracket was announced on December 8 and there are multiple ties to the Boca Raton Bowl:
Four teams in the Top 25 and one receiving votes are former Boca Raton Bowl participants:
• #12 SMU played in our 2019
bowl game
• #17 BYU played in our 2020 bowl game
• #22 Syracuse played in our 2023 bowl game
• #25 Memphis played in our 2016 bowl game
• RV Marshall played in our inaugural 2014 bowl game
One past Boca Raton Bowl partici-
pant, SMU, is the No. 11 seed in the playoff bracket.
The head coach of the current No. 1-ranked team Oregon is Dan Lanning, who was an assistant coach on the Memphis team which lost to Western Kentucky in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl. On the opposite sideline was new FAU football head coach Zach Kittley, who was the offensive coordinator for WKU.
The starting quarterback for No. 1-ranked Oregon is Dillon Gabriel, who played for UCF in the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl.
The head coach of No. 7-ranked Tennessee is Josh Heupel, who was the head coach for UCF when they played in the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl.
Welcome Letter from the Mayor of Boca Raton. Welcome Letter from the Mayor of Boca Raton.
THE CITY OF BOCA RATON IS PARTICULARLY PROUD TO SPONSOR THE BOCA RATON BOWL FEATURING TWO IMPRESSIVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS:
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Boca Raton! On behalf of our 100,000 residents, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to our beautiful city. The Boca Raton Bowl has become an exciting tradition in our community, bringing all of us together to see two outstanding teams compete at Florida Atlantic University Stadium for the coveted Boca Raton Bowl Championship. We are honored to host this event, which not only promises an exciting spectacle but also serves as an economic driver for our community
Boca Raton is a city that offers a wide array of experiences for all. This time of year is ideal for enjoying outdoor recreational activities, from a round of golf at one of our municipal golf courses to a relaxing visit at one of our beautiful beaches. For those seeking to indulge in our areas natural beautiful, we encourage you to visit Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, home to a sea turtle rehabilitation facility, protected tree habitat, aquariums, and butterfly gardens. With 49 active and passive park settings, including additional waterfront and recreational offerings, it is no wonder why many refer to Boca Raton as “The City Within a Park.”
If shopping, dining, and culture are your pleasures, Downtown Boca is the perfect destination for you. Be sure to explore Mizner Park, where you can take a leisurely stroll along the shaded walkways and admire the fountains along Plaza Real. There and throughout the downtown, you’ll also find a diverse array of restaurants and retail boutiques. Downtown Boca is proud to host the renowned Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Studio at Mizner Park, and our historic Old Town Hall which houses our history museum and serves as a welcome center for visitors. Beyond downtown, we invite you to indulge in premier shopping and luxury brands at the Town Center at Boca Raton, which boasts an impressive selection of 220 stores, among other enticing attractions. Our City has something for everyone, and we hope you have the opportunity to experience the unparalleled quality of life that we residents get to enjoy year-round.
We wish you an unforgettable experience at the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl and a memorable stay in Boca Raton. I look forward to seeing you on game day and around our beautiful city.
American, CUSA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt Camping World Stadium | Orlando, Florida www.curebowl.com
UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL
DECEMBER 20, 2024 – ESPN SEC vs American, ACC, CUSA,
MYRTLE BEACH BOWL
FAMOUS
HAWAI’I BOWL
DECEMBER
LOCKHEED
WASABI
schedule of bowl week events schedule of bowl week events
All events are open to the public unless otherwise noted. For event times, refer to BocaRatonBowl.com or @BocaBowl on Facebook, Instagram and x.
December 14th
TBA - Team Arrivals
SAT
* Team A * Team B
SUN
5:00 p.m. - Head Coaches Press Conference at Cox Science Center
7:00 p.m. - Team Welcome Parties at their team hotels
December 15th
12 p.m. & 3 p.m. Team Beach Parties
12 p.m. - Team A – Lake Worth Pier / Benny’s on the Beach
3 p.m. - Team B - Lake Worth Pier/ Benny’s on the Beach
mon
Tue
wed
December 16th
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Team Community Outreach events: Team A – West Palm Beach VA Hospital
Team B – Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital
December 17th
12:00 p.m. - Kickoff Luncheon at Palm Beach County Convention Center
1:45 p.m. - Joint Teams Media Availability at Palm Beach County Convention Center
6:00 p.m. - Joint Teams Pep Rally at Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton (Band & Spirit Squad participation)
December 18th
2:00 p.m. - Fan Fest and Family Midway at FAU Stadium
5:30 p.m. - 11th Annual Boca Raton Bowl Game at FAU Stadium
hotels team headquarters
Hilton West Palm Beach
Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center
A look at the A look at the
School: James Madison University
Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia Conference: Sun Belt Conference Program Began: 1972
Mascot: Duke Dog 2024 Record (overall/conference): 8-4, 4-4 Sun Belt
Interim President/Alma Mater:
Charlie King
Interim President
App State ’74, B.S. App State ’75, M.A.
Previously:
CFO and Senior VP for Administration and Finance at JMU (1996-2021)
VP for Business Affairs at Radford (1991-1996)
Numerous roles, including Asst. Vice Chancellor at UNC Wilmington (1975-1991)
Head Coach:
Bob Chesney Head Coach Dickinson College ‘00
Bob Chesney is in his first season at the helm of the JMU football program, leading the Dukes to an 8-4 regular-season record and a berth in their second bowl game. Chesney, who’s in his 15th year as a collegiate head coach, holds a 119-50 career record and makes his FBS bowl debut after
leading his previous programs to a combined seven conference titles and postseason appearances at the FCS, Division II and Division III levels.
Prior to joining JMU, Chesney won five Patriot League championships and was three-time Patriot League Coach of the Year at Holy Cross (2018-2023). He guided the Crusaders to four FCS playoff appearances, which included the 2022 quarterfinals, a year in which they finished sixth in the final FCS rankings.
Before Holy Cross, Chesney led Division II Assumption, going
National Statistical Rankings:
JMU enters the postseason leading the country in turnover margin (+1.42) while also ranking second in fewest interceptions thrown (4), fourth in interceptions produced (17), fifth in both defensive touchdowns (4) and total takeaways (26) and eighth in sacks per game (3.17).
Terrence Spence ranks fourth in the FBS with two blocks while Eric O’Neill is fifth nationally with 1.0 sack per game (12.0 total) and sixth with 1.5 TFL per game (18.0 total).
44-16 in his five seasons (20132017). Assumption made three straight NCAA Division II playoffs, reaching the quarterfinals in his final season in 2017. He began his head coaching career at Division III Salve Regina, where he went 23-9 in three campaigns (201012). He guided the Seahawks to a win in the 2011 ECAC Northwest Bowl.
Head Coach’s Family: Andrea (wife); Lyla (daughter), Hudson (daughter), Bo (son)
Postseason Honors to Date:
First Team All-Sun Belt
Pat McMurtrie (OL)
Eric O’Neill (DL)
Cole Potts (OL)
Terrence Spence (DB)
Second Team All-Sun Belt
Jacob Dobbs (LB)
Khairi Manns (DL)
Jacob Thomas (DB)
Third Team All-Sun Belt
Ryan Hanson (P)
Cam Ross (RS)
Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt
Alonza Barnett III (QB)
Immanuel Bush (DL)
Omarion Dollison (WR)
Taylor Thompson (TE)
Bowl/Postseason History:
• 20th Overall Postseason Appearance
• Second Bowl Appearance
• First in 2023 (L, 31-21 vs. Air Force in Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl)
• Prior to FBS Transition, qualified for 18 FCS (I-AA) Playoffs
• Held 24-16 FCS Playoffs record
• Won 2004 and 2016 FCS National Championships
Notable Facts:
• JMU’s first meeting vs. Western Kentucky
• Just the second matchup ever against a Conference USA team, beating Middle Tennessee, 44-7, at home in first FBS game on Sept. 3, 2022
• Head Coach Bob Chesney has now led each of his teams to a postseason berth at all four NCAA football levels (Division III, Division II, FCS Playoffs, FBS Bowl)
Matt Transue: Assistant AD for Football Administration (3rd season)
Jordan Smith: Director of Football Operation (1st Season)
Jason Novak: Director of Strength & Conditioning (1st Season)
Paul Cipriano: Associate Director of Strength & Conditioning (1st Season)
Nathan
Director of Player Personnel (1st Season)
Hannah Ross: Director of On-Campus Recruiting (1st Season)
School: Western Kentucky University (WKU)
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky Conference: Conference USA (C-USA)
Program Began: 1908
Mascot: Big Red Record (overall/conference): 8-5, 6-2 C-USA
Interim President/Alma Mater:
Timothy C. Caboni
Western Kentucky University ’94, B.A.
WKU’s 10th president
Previously: Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs at the University of Kansas (20112017)
Associate Dean for External Relations and Professional Education at Vanderbilt University’s
Peabody College (2005-2011) Faculty Member, Vanderbilt University (2005-2011)
Held leadership roles in higher education strategy, communications, and external relations
Head Coach:
Tyson Helton Head Coach Dickinson College ‘00
Tyson Helton, a 1999 graduate of the University of Houston, is in his sixth season as head coach
A look at the A look at the
at Western Kentucky University (WKU), with an overall record of 48-31.
Known for his offensive expertise, Helton has led WKU to multiple bowl appearances, including victories in the Boca Raton Bowl (2021) and New Orleans Bowl (2022). Before WKU, he held coaching roles at Tennessee, USC, and Cincinnati, specializing in quarterbacks and offensive systems.
Helton and his wife, April, have four children: Shelby, Presley, Cole, and Clay.
After trailing 28-0 in the first half, WKU mounted a thrilling comeback, sealed by kicker Lucas Carneiro with a 29-yard walk-off field goal in overtime. This victory secured the Hilltoppers’ third consecutive bowl win.
2022 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
WKU dominated South Alabama 44-23 behind a record-breaking offensive performance at the Caesars Superdome. The Hilltoppers amassed 677 total yards, including 522 passing yards, setting a New Orleans Bowl record. Quarterback Austin Reed threw
2023 Famoust Toastery Bowl
WKU pulled off a historic 28-point comeback to defeat Old Dominion 38-35 in overtime, marking the fourth-largest comeback in bowl game history. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp was named Offensive MVP after completing 40of-52 passes for 383 yards and 5 touchdowns, three of which were caught by Dalvin Smith. On defense, Anthony Johnson Jr. earned Defensive MVP honors with 8 tackles and a crucial interception.
for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning MVP honors while setting the individual passing record for the game. Receivers Dalvin Smith, Jaylen Hall, and Malachi Corley each surpassed 100 receiving yards, marking the first time three WKU players achieved this feat in a single game since 2017. Hall also caught a touchdown on a trick play pass thrown by Smith.
2021 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Quarterback Bailey Zappe led WKU to a commanding 59-38 victory over App State, completing 33-of-47 passes for 422 yards and 6 touchdowns. Zappe’s performance cemented his place in history as he set new FBS single-season records for passing yards (5,967) and passing touchdowns (62), breaking the previous marks held by B.J. Symons (2003) and Joe Burrow (2019). This victory
highlighted WKU’s high-powered offense and marked a milestone season for the Hilltoppers.
2020 LendingTree Bowl
WKU concluded the season with a 39-21 loss to Georgia State, finishing with a 5-7 record. Quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome completed 17-of-33 passes for 180 yards and added a rushing touchdown but threw two interceptions. Tight end Joshua Simon led the team with 84 receiving yards, while running backs Jones and Walker each scored touchdowns. On defense, Nick Days recorded a career-high 12 tackles, and WKU combined for 10 tackles for loss, with contributions from eight different players.
2019
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Freshman kicker Cory Munson hit a career-long 52-yard field goal as time expired to give WKU a thrilling 23-20 victory over Western Michigan. The Hilltoppers drove 36 yards in 27 seconds to set up Munson’s game-winning kick after a rules review. This victory capped off a 9-4 season for WKU and showcased the team’s resilience under pressure.
9
9
8
5
3
4
4
3
0
0
2
2
TEAM ROSTER TEAM ROSTER
2024 wku football roster
Opelusas, La. (Northwest HS/Kilgore College)
5 Bryce Childress WR 5-9 182 Sr.-TR St. Louis, Mo. (Trinity Catholic HS/New Mexico St./Colleyville CC/Troy/Iowa Western CC)
6 Demick
6 Nazir Ward DB 6-0 172 So.-1L Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS)
Herest, Dana Dana Herst, Esq. Jessell, Michelle Nelson Mullins Kennedy, Kelly City of Boca Raton Kenney, Dyana Penn Florida Laskowski, Michelle
Rick
Martin, Rosie
Mithun, Doug & Marcia Mir Joe NCCI Mumford, Tyler FAU Athletics Olmsted, Ileana City of Boca Raton
O’Rourke, Andrea City of Boca Raton Passler, Ilene Cheney Brothers Paton, Linda Sklar Furnishings Payne, Emory Palm Beach Sheriffs Office Puz, Willie Solid Waste Authority Rada, Pam Wellington Regional Medical Center
Rolfe, Doug Dentist
Roshel, Mitchell FAU Career Center Rutherford, Ann Real Estate Schachter, Ashely Northwestern Mutual Schachter, Carl Northwestern Mutual Seymour, Drew Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium/ Palm Beach Cardinals Silva, Briana YMCA of South PBC Skiles, Amy Phoenix Design Works Skiles, Jamie Phoenix Design Works Slater Goldfuss, Stephanie Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC
Spence, Julia West Palm
Medical Center
St. John, Alana
Norman
Services
St. John, Shana Nat King Cole
Hope Taylor, Pilar FAU/ Stiles Nicholson STEM
Academy Taylor, James Palm Beach County Sports Commission Thomson, Andrew
of Boca Raton Tucker, Bob Tucker, Gwen BioStem Technologies
Karl
Pamela Boca West Childerns’ foundation
Womack, Susan Tinbertech Zeff, Michael Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Zook, Dawn Palm Beach County
Diener, Sue DiNorscio, Amy City of Boca Raton
Dowe, Julie Palm Beach Sports Commission
Duewer, Rachel National Polo Center
Dunston, David Spirt Airlines Dupree, Heather YMCA of South Palm Beach County
Edwards, Katie Max Planck
Feller, Frank F.D.F. Consultants Feldman, Brian Retired & Schatzman, Marci Reporter Fine, Jeffrey iThink Financial Funt, Bonnie Tierra South Florida Goldberg, Dana
Agricola, Theresa South Florida Fair Bellisari, Michele Real Estate Biase, Donna Best Foot Forward Foundation
Carmody, Jim The Boca Raton Constable, Gillian Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Pollock,Richard Fill the Seats Chair
Prince, Stephanie ESPN West Palm
Schiller, Neil Government Law Group Scott, Constance
Smallridge, Kelly PBC Business Development Board
Tolbert, John BRE Hotels & Resorts White, Brian FAU
Abrams,Steven Beebe, Laura Palm Beach International Airport Galvin, Stephanie Bank of America
Davis,Bill Private Funding Specialists, Inc.
Paton, Doug Masters Telecom
Barbar, Anthony Exec. Committee Chairman Baker, Verdenia Palm Beach County
Wainright, Jon CP Group
Chouris, Vicki Del Vecchio, Jessica City of Boca Raton
Frankel, Adam PBC Tourist Development Council Franklin, Patrick Urban League of Palm Beach County
Grady, Dennis Harvey, Linday Spirit of Giving Dr. Lee,Joseph PBC Schools Mclellan, Troy Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
Gensheimer, Mark Penn Florida
Frankel, Brett Peoples Trust Insurance
Mostad, Jim The Breakers
Derzis,Pete
Hagensick, Jason YMCA of SPBC
Jergensen, Glenn Linley, George PBCSports Commission Moabery, Abdol GA Telesis Nobles, Randy
Politziner,Steve ESPN West Palm
Poms,Eric Orange Bowl Committee
Segarra,Milton Discover The Palm Beaches Schmidt, Barb
Singer,Scott Mayor of Boca Raton
Thomason Jennifer Habitat for Humanity South PBC Weinroth, Robert
Zeff, Michael Chambe Rof Commerce of the Palm Beaches
of
Most
Most time of possession in 2nd half – 21:20, Toledo (2022)
in 1st half – 20:03, Northern Illinois (2014
Most third-down conversions – 10, Toledo (2022)
Best third-down conversion percentage - .642 (9 of 14), Marshall (2014)
Most fourth-down conversions – 5, Florida Atlantic (2017)
Best fourth-down conversion percentage – 1.000 (2 of 2), USF (2023)
Best red zone percentage - 1.000, Marshall (6 of6, 5 TD, 1FG) (2014), FAU (6 of 6, 6TD) (2017), UAB (4 of 4, 1TD, 3FG) (2018), FAU (6 of 6, 5 TD, 1 FG) (2019), UCF (4 of 4, 3 TD, 1 FG) (2020), Toledo (4 of 4, 2 TD, 2 FG) Most sacks – 6, Memphis (2016)
Anthony Wales, Western Kentucky (2016) Bowl Record 253Yards Rushing
(2014)
Xavier Ubosi, UAB (2018) Bowl Record 227 Yards Receiving
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (2021) Bowl Record 6 Passing TDs and 33 Completions
