JMU Football claims first bowl title in Boca Raton

BOCA RATON, Fla. — A pair of quarterbacks who hadn't led a scoring drive this season, led James Madison to its first-ever bowl victory on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Freshman JC Evans ran for a touchdown and threw for a second and redshirt junior Billy Atkins threw a game-winning scoring strike in the fourth quarter, as JMU beat Western Kentucky, 27-17 in the Boca Raton Bowl in South Florida.

Twenty years and a day after JMU won its first FCS national championship, the Dukes celebrated their first bowl title, a win secured using the formula that made them successful all season long.

JMU ran the football, played stifling defense and capitalized on a pair of turnovers. 

"This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our players, the leadership of head coach Bob Chesney and his staff and the unwavering support from athletic director Matt Roan and his staff," JMU president Charlie King said. "Despite facing significant turnover from last year and numerous other challenges throughout the season, this team upheld the championship tradition that defines our football program. As we celebrate this moment in history for JMU, we also look forward to building on this success and continuing to strive for greatness in the seasons to come."

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