NEW ORLEANS — Three takeaways propelled James Madison to a 27-17 win over Conference USA runner-up Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl, securing the first bowl title in program history. 
 
In just their third FBS campaign, the Dukes—who were part of the Sun Belt’s bowl contingent that leads non-autonomy conferences for the third-straight season—improved to 1-1 in two all-time bowl appearances. 
 
While seeing their first significant action of the 2024 season, the quarterback tandem of redshirt junior Billy Atkins and freshman JC Evans led the Dukes offense to 394 yards and a 20-3 second-half scoring advantage. 
 
Atkins completed 16-of-23 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, while Evans ran for 64 yards and a score on 10 attempts and completed his lone pass for a one-yard touchdown. Senior wideout Omarion Dollison led all Dukes with six catches for 82 yards, while tight ends redshirt senior Kyi Wright and senior Taylor Thompson hauled in touchdown receptions. 
 
Redshirt sophomore running back George Pettaway carried the ball 14 times for 100 yards—his second 100-yard performance of the season. 
 
Redshirt senior defensive back Chris Shearin led the Dukes defensive unit with seven tackles. James Madison had four players with 1.5-or-more tackles for loss in sophomore linebacker Gannon Weathersby (2.5 TFL), sophomore defensive back DJ Barksdale (2.0 TFL), redshirt senior defensive lineman Khairi Manns (1.5 TFL) and freshman defensive back Tyler Brown (1.5 TFL). 
 
Manns’ strip sack and fumble recovery in a one-possession game with 3:02 to play punctuated the three-takeaway day for the James Madison defense. 
 
With the win, James Madison improves to 9-4 on the season.