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FINAL SCORE: WKU 49, Central Michigan 48
Team Records and Series Notes
- WKU won the inaugural Popeyes Bahamas bowl and ended its season on a five-game winning to finish its inaugural Conference USA campaign with an 8-5 record. Central Michigan finished its 2014 season with a 7-6 record.
- WKU's win represents the program's first FBS bowl win and its first postseason victory of any sort since defeating Jacksonville State 45-7 in the first round of the 2003 Division I-AA playoffs.
- The Hilltoppers' five-straight wins to close the season marks the first time since 2002 and just the seventh time in program history that they have won five or more consecutive games to close the year (1932, 1938, 1952, 1963, 1978, 2002, 2014).
- The eight wins for WKU ties an FBS-high mark for the program and gives the Hilltoppers consecutive eight-win seasons for the first time since the 2003-04 seasons.
Team Notes
- WKU became the first program in FBS history to have a 4,500-yard passer (Brandon Doughty - 4,830) and 1,500-yard rusher (Leon Allen - 1,542) in the same season.
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- The Hilltoppers are just the fourth program in FBS history to have a 4,000-yard passer and 1,500-yard rusher in FBS history.
- WKU's Leon Allen accumulated 97 all-purpose yards to increase his season total to 2,018, making WKU the first team in FBS history to have four-consecutive individuals eclipse the 2,000-yard all-purpose mark in a season.
- With his 52 rushing yards in the contest, Allen increased his season total to 1,542 to make WKU the second team in FBS history to feature a 1,500-yard rusher in five-straight seasons.
- WKU's 49 points extended the Hilltoppers' single-season record to 577 points in 2014.
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- The previous single-season record for points was 432 by the 2002 Hilltoppers that played 15 games.
- WKU has scored at least 30 points in 15 of its last 16 games dating back to Nov. 23, 2013.
- The Hilltoppers' 7 touchdowns upped their season total to 76, breaking the 1973 squad's single-season record of 62 touchdowns.
- WKU racked up 647 yards on Central Michigan's No. 16 defense, which followed up a 738-yard outing against Marshall's 14th ranked defense on Nov. 28.
- WKU scored 49 points and compiled over 600 yards for the fifth time this season.
- With Willie McNeal (career receptions), Jared Dangerfield (single-season receptions/TDs) and Garrett Schwettman (single-season points) establishing new WKU records, the Hilltoppers broke or tied 47 team and individual records in 2014.
- The WKU defense has forced a turnover in nine of the past 10 games.
- WKU's game captains were Cameron Clemmons, Cam Thomas, Willie McNeal and Terran Williams.
- WKU lost the toss but received the opening kickoff due to Central Michigan's deferral.
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- WKU scored on the opening drive for the eighth time this season with a 15-yard TD catch from Jared Dangerfield.
Player Notes
- Senior quarterback Brandon Doughty connected on 31-of-42 passes for 486 yards and 5 TDs on his way to Offensive Most Valuable Player Honors.
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- Doughty's 5 TD passes moved his season total to 49, which establishes a C-USA single-season record and is the sixth highest total in FBS history.
- Doughty tossed for 350 yards and 5 TDs in the first half alone.
- In WKU's five-game winning streak to close the season, Doughty threw for 1,825 yards and 24 TDs.
- Doughty has 14 TD passes of 40+yards this season.
- Doughty has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 13-straight games and multiple touchdown passes in 13 of his past 14 games.
- Doughty finished his record-setting campaign with 10 300-yard passing performances and four 400-yard games.
- Doughty now has 11-career performances with three or more passing TDs.
- Doughty has thrown at least 4 touchdowns on six occasions this season and for 5 touchdowns five different times.
- With 30 bowl games remaining, Doughty finishes his season with the national lead in TD passes (49) and yards (4,830). His 49 TDs are tied the 6th most in single-season FBS history. His 4,830 yards are the 16th highest total in FBS history.
- Junior running back Leon Allen rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries while adding 45 yards receiving and a TD.
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- Allen racked up 702 rushing yards in WKU's last four games.
- Allen scored 9 touchdowns during WKU's five-game winning streak.
- Allen finished his junior season with 16 total touchdowns, which is tied for fourth in WKU single-season history.
- Junior wide receiver Jared Dangerfield hauled in 5 receptions for 87 yards and a TD.
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- Dangerfield's five grabs upped his season total to 69 - a new single-season WKU record.
- Dangerfield finished his first season on The Hill with 11 TD catches, which tied Porter Williams' (1973) single-season record.
- Redshirt senior wide receiver Willie McNeal caught 5 passes for a career high 155 yards and to finish his prolific career as WKU's all-time career leader in receptions (171).
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- McNeal's 5 catches moved him past Jake Gaebler ( 168 catches - 2006-09) for the all-time record.
- McNeal recorded his fifth-career 100-yard performance.
- Redshirt sophomore running back Anthony `Ace' Wales rushed for 95 yards and a TD on 14 carries.
- Senior tight end Mitchell Henry hauled three catches for 47 yards and a TD in his final game as a Hilltopper.
- Redshirt senior wide receiver Joel German had four catches for 27 yards and a TD in his final game as a Hilltopper.
- Junior wide receiver Antwane Grant caught two passes for 30 yards and a TD after missing previous three games with injury.
- Junior kicker Garrett Schwettman scored 7 points with 7 PATs to establish WKU's single-season scoring record at 118 points.
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- Schwettman's 70 PATs in 2014 established a program record while his 16 field goals were fourth in WKU single-season history.
- Freshman defensive lineman Derik Overstreet was named the game's Defensive Most Valuable Player after posting career highs in tackles (5), sacks (2) and tackles for loss (2.5).
- Redshirt junior defensive end Gavin Rocker tallied six tackles and a sack, giving him 4.0 sacks in WKU's last three games.
