If you’re looking for a rivalry steeped in decades of bad blood and a hundred games of history, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to understand why wku football vs james madison dukes football became one of the most intriguing "new age" matchups in the Group of Five, you have to look at December 18, 2024. That night in Boca Raton wasn't just another bowl game. It was a collision between two programs that basically represent the modern, chaotic era of college football—transfer portals, coaching carousels, and high-octane offenses.
Honestly, the lead-up to that game was a mess for both sides. You had Western Kentucky (WKU) coming off a brutal 52-12 loss to Jacksonville State in the C-USA title game. On the other side, James Madison was dealing with the departure of the coaching staff that had built them into an FBS powerhouse overnight.
What Happened During WKU Football vs James Madison Dukes Football?
Most people expected a shootout. Instead, they got a masterclass in "next man up" philosophy. James Madison entered the game without their star quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who was sidelined with an injury. Western Kentucky was also in a weird spot; their quarterback, Caden Veltkamp, was literally in the transfer portal while preparing for the game. He was even rumored to be visiting FAU (the host school) as a potential transfer destination during the bowl trip. Talk about awkward.
The game itself, the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl, ended in a 27-17 victory for the James Madison Dukes. It was a historic moment—their first-ever bowl win in program history.
JMU didn't win because of some flashy air raid. They won because they absolutely bullied WKU at the line of scrimmage. The Dukes put up 212 rushing yards. WKU? They managed a pathetic 16 yards on the ground. You aren't winning many football games when you can't even hit 20 yards rushing. George Pettaway was a beast for the Dukes, racking up 100 yards and keeping the chains moving while the Hilltoppers' defense looked gassed by the third quarter.
The Quarterback Chaos
Let’s talk about those JMU quarterbacks. Since Barnett was out, the Dukes had to rely on a two-man rotation of freshman JC Evans and redshirt junior Billy Atkins. Neither of these guys had led a scoring drive all season before this game.
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Evans brought the legs, running for a 7-yard touchdown early on and throwing for another. Atkins came in and delivered the dagger, a 21-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Thompson in the fourth quarter. It was one of those "only in college football" stories where the backups become legends for a night.
WKU’s Caden Veltkamp actually played decent ball, throwing for 302 yards and two touchdowns. But he was under constant fire. The JMU defense, which ranked near the top of the country in several metrics under Bob Chesney, sacked him three times and forced three fumbles. WKU kept it close for a while—it was tied 17-17 early in the fourth—but the inability to protect Veltkamp or establish any semblance of a run game eventually broke them.
A Statistical Reality Check
If you look at the box score, the disparity in toughness is what jumps out.
- Time of Possession: JMU held the ball for over 36 minutes. WKU had it for about 23.
- Total Plays: JMU ran 70 plays compared to WKU’s 59.
- The Run Game: As mentioned, 212 yards for JMU vs. 16 for WKU. That’s a 196-yard difference.
It’s kinda crazy because WKU has always been known as "Big Red" and "Air Raid" central. They’ve had guys like Bailey Zappe and Austin Reed putting up video game numbers. But against a disciplined, physical Sun Belt defense like James Madison’s, the Hilltoppers' finesse style just didn't hold up.
Why This Matchup Matters for the Future
The wku football vs james madison dukes football matchup is a bellwether for the Group of Five. These are two programs that don't want to just "be there." They want to be the ones getting that automatic playoff bid.
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JMU is still technically the "new kid" in the FBS, but they don't play like it. They’ve managed to retain a huge chunk of their roster despite coaching changes, which is rare these days. WKU, meanwhile, is the veteran of the transition, having moved up years ago and established themselves as a consistent bowl participant.
One thing most fans get wrong is thinking these teams are "mid-major" and therefore less talented. Look at the NFL draft. Both schools are starting to pump out legitimate pro talent, especially at the skill positions.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move through the 2026 season, the landscape has shifted again. Bob Chesney has firmly established his culture at Harrisonburg. The Dukes are no longer just "happy to be here" in the Sun Belt; they are the standard. WKU is still led by Tyson Helton, who has one of the best bowl records in the country (4-2 now after that loss to JMU and a subsequent win in 2025).
If you're looking for a rematch, you might have to wait for another bowl pairing. Their 2026 schedules are packed with heavy hitters. JMU is heading to Virginia Tech and UConn, while WKU is taking on Power 4 giants like Georgia and Indiana.
Basically, both teams are trying to beef up their strength of schedule to impress the playoff committee.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If these two meet again, here is what you need to watch for:
- Check the Trenches: Don't get blinded by the quarterback names. In the 2024 matchup, the game was won and lost in the dirt. If WKU hasn't fixed their offensive line issues, a physical team like JMU will eat them alive every time.
- The Portal Factor: WKU tends to be more aggressive in the portal, meaning their roster can look completely different from September to December. JMU has shown more stability in "growing their own" talent lately.
- Third Down Defense: In their last meeting, JMU’s ability to get off the field was the difference. They forced WKU into long-yardage situations constantly.
The rivalry is young, but the intensity is real. Both fanbases are loud, proud, and travel well. Whether it’s in a bowl game in Florida or a regular-season clash down the road, this is a matchup that consistently delivers drama.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the Dukes; they've shown they have depth, but their system relies heavily on a mobile quarterback who can threaten the edges. For WKU, it’s all about the protection. If they give their QB time, they can score on anyone in the country. If not, well, we saw what happened in Boca.
Next Steps for Following These Teams:
- Monitor the Sun Belt and C-USA standings weekly; both teams are frequent "Game of the Week" contenders.
- Track the 2026 transfer portal windows in May and December, as both programs are highly active in rebuilding their rosters through these cycles.
- Check the "Group of Five" playoff rankings released in late October to see if either team is in the hunt for the automatic bid.