When the James Madison Dukes and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers met in Boca Raton, it wasn't just another December game to fill a TV slot. It was history. For James Madison, a program that had spent decades tearing through the FCS before making a massive jump to the FBS, the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl was the final boss of their transition period. Honestly, most people didn't know what to expect. You had a JMU team without its star quarterback and a WKU squad that basically lives in bowl games.
The game ended 27-17 in favor of the Dukes. But the score doesn't tell the whole story of how messy, gritty, and weird this game actually was.
The Backup to the Backup: How JMU Pulled It Off
If you're a JMU fan, you were probably biting your nails when Alonza Barnett III was ruled out. He had been the engine of that offense all year. Instead, the Dukes had to rely on Billy Atkins—a guy who hadn't started a game since 2022—and a freshman named JC Evans who was mostly known for running "wildcat" packages.
It shouldn't have worked.
But it did. Atkins was efficient, throwing for 181 yards. He didn't need to be Patrick Mahomes; he just needed to not lose the game. Meanwhile, JC Evans was the spark plug. He ran for a touchdown early and then pulled off a beautiful fake sneak to throw a 1-yard TD to Kyi Wright. Seeing a 250-pound blocking tight end catch his first pass of the season to tie a bowl game? That's college football peak.
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Western Kentucky, on the other hand, stayed true to their "Air Raid" identity. Caden Veltkamp was slinging it everywhere, finishing with 302 passing yards. But yards don't win games if you can't run the ball. WKU finished with a measly 16 rushing yards. 16! You can't be that one-dimensional against a Sun Belt defense that smells blood.
James Madison Dukes Football vs WKU Football: A Tale of Two Defenses
The biggest difference in the James Madison Dukes football vs WKU football matchup was the "Havoc" factor. JMU’s defense has a reputation for being a bunch of ball hawks, and they lived up to it. They forced three fumbles. The backbreaker happened with about three minutes left in the game. Khairi Manns, a name WKU fans probably still see in their nightmares, strip-sacked Veltkamp and recovered the ball himself.
That play essentially ended the Hilltoppers' season.
WKU actually led 14-7 at halftime. They looked like the more polished team for the first 30 minutes. Dalvin Smith was making plays, including an 11-yard touchdown catch that made him one of the most prolific scorers in WKU history. But the Dukes just wore them down. By the fourth quarter, JMU's offensive line was opening gaps big enough for a truck, allowing George Pettaway to hit the 100-yard rushing mark.
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Key Stats From The Matchup
- Total Offense: JMU 394, WKU 318.
- Rushing Yards: JMU 212, WKU 16. (Yes, really).
- Time of Possession: JMU held the ball for 36:32. They basically kept the Hilltoppers' offense on the sidelines for over half the game.
- Turnovers: WKU 3, JMU 0. That's the game right there.
Why This Win Changed Everything for the Dukes
For years, people doubted if JMU could handle the "big boys." They dominated the FCS, winning titles in 2004 and 2016, but the FBS is a different beast. This win over WKU was their first-ever bowl trophy. It validated the move. It proved that coach Bob Chesney could win with backups and a "next man up" mentality.
It's also worth noting how much this game influenced the following season. By the time 2025 rolled around, James Madison wasn't just a "scrappy newcomer." They were Sun Belt champions. They even made a run to the College Football Playoff, eventually losing a high-scoring 51-34 game to Oregon. None of that happens without the confidence built during that gritty night in Boca Raton against WKU.
WKU is a proud program. Tyson Helton has them in a bowl game almost every single year—six straight seasons as of 2024. They’ve got the infrastructure and the coaching. But in this specific matchup, they got out-muscled. They tried to "trickeration" their way through some plays—including a disastrous lateral that JMU recovered—and it just didn't pay off.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If these two teams meet again, there are a few things you have to keep in mind. First, look at the trenches. JMU’s recruiting has focused heavily on physical defensive linemen who can ruin an Air Raid rhythm. Second, check the turnover margin. JMU consistently ranks near the top of the country in takeaways.
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If you're following the Dukes in the current 2026 season under new leadership (with Billy Napier taking over the reins), the identity is still there. They want to run the ball and they want to hit you. WKU remains a "live by the sword, die by the sword" passing team.
To really understand this rivalry, you need to watch the 2024 highlights. Look at Taylor Thompson’s "Spider-Man" celebration after his fourth-quarter touchdown. That’s the energy this program brings.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal for both teams. WKU usually reloads with veteran QBs, while JMU has become a destination for Power 5 depth players looking for more playing time. This matchup might not happen every year, but when it does, it's a clash of styles that usually results in a lot of "did you see that?" moments.