Western Kentucky vs. James Madison: Boca Raton Bowl box score, stats and game summary feat. Caden Veltkamp 

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers took on the James Madison Dukes in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday. Western Kentucky and James Madison kicked off at 5:30 p.m. EST from FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.

The Hilltoppers finished the regular season with an 8-5 record, coming off a 52-12 loss in the C-USA Conference Championship Game on Dec. 6, while the Dukes concluded regular season play with an 8-4 mark on the year.

With both teams looking to finish their 2024 campaign on a high note, here are the box scores, stats and game summary from the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl. After a competitive first quarter, Western Kentucky took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.

James Madison pulled away in the second half though, outscoring the Hilltoppers 20-3 in the final two quarters.

Western Kentucky vs. James Madison: Box Score

Team	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter	Final
WKU	0	14	0	3	17
JMU	7	0	10	10	27

Western Kentucky Player Stats

Quarterback:

Player	Completions	Attempts	Passing Yards	Passing TD	INT	Carries	Rushing Yards	Rushing TD
Caden Veltkamp	25	39	302	2	0	4	-12	0

Rushing and receiving:

Player	Carries	Rushing Yards	Rushing TD	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving TD
Elijah Young	11	37	0	4	21	0
George Hart III	2	6	0	0	0	0
K.D. Hutchinson	2	-4	0	3	26	0
Dalvin Smith	1	-11	0	2	76	1
Kisean Johnson	0	0	0	9	70	0
Easton Messer	0	0	0	3	68	0
Moussa Barry	0	0	0	2	26	0
Michael Mathison	0	0	0	2	15	0

Kicking:

Player	Extra Points	Field Goals	Total Points
Lucas Carniero	2/2	1/1	5

James Madison Player Stats

Quarterback:

Player	Completions	Attempts	Passing Yards	Passing TD	INT	Carries	Rushing Yards	INT
Billy Atkins	16	23	181	1	0	2	6	0

Rushing and receiving:

Player	Carries	Rushing Yards	Rushing TD	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving TD
George Pettaway	14	100	0	0	0	0
JC Evans	10	64	1	0	0	0
Wayne Knight	11	22	0	4	25	0
Jobi Malary	5	12	0	0	0	0
Taji Hudson	1	11	0	0	0	0
Yamir Knight	1	1	0	4	38	0
Omarion Dollison	0	0	0	6	82	0
Taylor Thompson	0	0	0	1	21	1
Dylan Williams	0	0	0	1	15	0
Kyi Wright	0	0	0	1	1	0

Kicking:

Player	Extra Points	Field Goals	Total Points
Noe Ruelas	3/3	2/4	9

Western Kentucky vs. James Madison: Game Summary

After exchanging punts, James Madison marched 77 yards in seven plays, taking a 7-0 lead with 8:03 remaining in the first quarter. The two sides didn't score until the 13:34 mark of the second quarter when Western Kentucky capped off a 48-yard drive with a 17-yard pitch-and-catch from Caden Veltkamp to Moussa Barry to tie the game at 7-7.

The Hilltoppers capitalized on a James Madison missed field goal and punt with a seven-play, 83-yard drive capped off by an 11-yard touchdown catch from Dalvin Smith to take a 14-7 lead into the half.

After each side exchanged a punt, James Madison marched 71 yards in 11 plays to tie the game at 14-14. The Dukes forced a fumble and capitalized with a 28-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead. The Hilltoppers responded with a field goal of their own to tie the game at 17-17.

James Madison maintained their momentum on the next drive as Billy Atkins connected with Taylor Thompson for a 21-yard touchdown to take a 24-17 lead. The Dukes sealed a 27-17 win with a 25-yard field goal.