BOCA RATON, Fla. – WKU Football fell to James Madison 27-17 in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday at Flagler Credit Union Stadium.
WKU closes the 2024 season with an 8-6 record after playing in the program's sixth bowl game in the last six seasons.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- JMU opened the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run with 8:03 remaining in the first quarter.
- The Hilltoppers scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a lead into halftime, starting with a 17-yard touchdown reception from Moussa Barry off a pass by Caden Veltkamp to even the score with 13:34 until the break.
- Dalvin Smith caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Veltkamp with 51 seconds left in the first half to take a 14-7 lead, and Deante McCray blocked a JMU field goal attempt on the final play of the half to hold onto the seven-point lead.
- JMU tied the game with a 1-yard pass with 8:09 left in the third quarter.
- The Dukes took a 17-14 lead with a 28-yard field goal with 2:25 to play in the third quarter.
- WKU tied the game, 17-17, with a 31-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro with 14:13 to play.
- JMU took a 24-17 lead on a 21-yard touchdown pass with 9:20 to play.
- The Dukes kicked a 25-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining to close out the scoring in the 27-17 game.
NOTABLES
- WKU's captains for the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl were linebacker Chandler Matthews, long snapper Rex Robich and wide receiver Dalvin Smith.
- Attendance at Flagler Credit Union Stadium was an announced 15,808.
- The game marked WKU's third appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Hilltoppers won the event in 2016 and 2021.
- The game marked WKU's 11th bowl game in the last 13 seasons, and it was the sixth straight year WKU has played in a bowl game. WKU is one of only 12 programs that have played in a bowl game each of the last five years from 2019-23 and was also eligible to play in a bowl game this season.
- WKU posted 318 yards of offense in the game, with 302 coming through the air.
- Quarterback Caden Veltkamp threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns on 25-39-0 passing. Seven different WKU players caught multiple passes in the game. Kisean Johnson led WKU's receivers with nine catches for 70 yards. It was a WKU career high in receptions for Johnson, who twice had highs of eight receptions this season.
- Dalvin Smith's 11-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was the 21st touchdown reception of his career. The 21 career touchdown receptions are tied for fifth-most in WKU history.
- Fourteen Hilltoppers posted multiple tackles in the game. Keyshawn Swanson led WKU with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
- Deante McCray's blocked kick at the end of the first half was WKU's third blocked kick of the season and his first. WKU's three blocked kicks are tied for 10th-most in the nation this season.
- Lucas Carneiro, who was named the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Year, finished the season 18-for-19 on field goal attempts, including 6-for-6 from 50-plus yards, and 41-for-41 on PATs. The 18 made field goals are tied for third-most in a single season in WKU history, while his 94.7 percentage was the best mark in program history in a single season. The 18 field goals were also made consecutively, marking the longest streak of made field goals in program history. Carneiro has made 88 consecutive PATs, which is tied for third-most in program history.
QUOTABLES
- "Congratulations to James Madison. They played a good game. We had our opportunities, but we didn't capitalize on them, so hats off to them. I appreciate the bowl for another great bowl. Our guys really enjoyed it and hopefully we can make it back here again." – WKU Football Head Coach Tyson Helton, on the loss to James Madison in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
NEXT UP
- WKU will head into the offseason after finishing the 2024 season 8-6.
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