Full Game Book

BOCA RATON, Florida - WKU QB Bailey Zappe finished his 2021 season as the FBS single-season record-holder in passing yardage (5,967) and passing touchdowns (62), as he led the Hilltoppers to a 59-38 win over Appalachian State (10-4) in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl on Saturday.

Zappe finished 33-47 for 422 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions in the win, surpassing former Texas Tech QB B.J. Symons' 2003 season (5,833 yards) and former LSU QB Joe Burrow's 2019 season (60 touchdowns).

WKU WR Jerreth Sterns caught 13 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns, finishing as the Conference USA single-season record-holder in receptions (150) and receiving yards (1,902), surpassing former Louisiana Tech WR Trent Taylor's 2016 season (136 catches for 1,803 yards). Sterns' 17 touchdowns on the season tied a program record (Taywan Taylor's 2015 and 2016 seasons) and is tied for sixth-most in C-USA single-season history. WR Mitchell Tinsley also had a big day for WKU, hauling in seven catches for 103 yards and two scores.

DB Antwon Kincade paced the Hilltoppers defensively with 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss. The Hilltoppers' defense forced four turnovers Saturday, and held Appalachian State to 14 points in the second half. One of those turnovers was a major shift of momentum, as DB A.J. Brathwaite forced a fumble on the opening drive of the second half. With WKU on top 31-24, the fumble turned into a quick seven points, as RB Noah Whittington busted an 86-yard touchdown run on the next play to push the lead to 38-24, and WKU never looked back. Whittington finished with 150 yards on just seven carries (21.4 yards per carry).

WKU, the East Division champions, finish the season at 9-5, picking up their fifth bowl win in program history. It marked the second time the Hilltoppers have won the Boca Raton Bowl, after a 51-31 over Memphis in the 2016 iteration of the game.