JMU football will face Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl, it was announced Saturday.

The game will kick off on Dec. 18 (a Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m. ET, and it will air on ESPN. The game will of course be played in Boca Raton, Florida, with FAU’s stadium the host. 

JMU enters the game with an 8-4 overall record, going 4-4 in league play. The Dukes are expected to be without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett, according to reports. The QB appeared to injure his right knee on the final offensive play of the team’s 35-33 overtime loss to Marshall. His absence will be an issue for the Dukes, who will also be without backup quarterback Dylan Morris. The Washington transfer recently underwent surgery on his throwing arm. 

As for Western Kentucky, the Hilltoppers will face challenges of their own. Among them is the team’s suspect rushing defense, which allows 221.9 rushing yards per game. The Hilltoppers are one of the five worst rushing defenses in the FBS, and Jacksonville State ran for nearly 400 yards against WKU in the CUSA title game. 

Western Kentucky’s offense is dangerous, though, led by quarterback Caden Veltkamp. The Hilltoppers are 8-5 on the season, with a notable win over Toledo and a one-point loss to Boston College. 

Despite a shaky run defense, Western Kentucky is a well-run G5 program. Head coach Tyson Helton has been floated as a possible candidate for several job openings, including Purdue. 

If JMU wins, it’ll be the Dukes’ first bowl win in program history. The Dukes are 0-1 in bowl games since joining the FBS, dropping last year’s bowl matchup with Air Force. JMU was without most of its coaching staff in that game, as Curt Cignetti accepted the Indiana job before bowl season. 

This year, JMU will try to win a bowl game without its top two quarterbacks.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications