James Madison Dukes defensive lineman Eric O'Neal made a key sack in a game-winning game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday night.
O'Neal then celebrated the sack by emptying Hilltoppers quarterback Kayden Veltkamp's quiver. It wasn't the only time he celebrated, college football fans on social media took notice.
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James Madison defensive lineman, uniform number, after playing with Western Kentucky running back Elijah Young during the first half of NCAA college football's Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Boca Raton, Florida. No. 99 Eric O'Neill responds. . (AP Photo/Lynn Sladke)
O'Neal recorded three tackles, including one sack, in James Madison's 27-17 victory.
“It's surreal. Probably the best moment of my life,” he told ESPN after the win. “We got a lot of guys (Football Bowl Championship) that no one wanted coming out of high school. Now we finished the season 9-4 and won a bowl game at JMU. This is a dream come true. I don't think so.”
He was also asked about the post-game celebration.
“It was just about working hard and getting there and having a celebration. I'm a big UFC fan, so that was one of those things,” he said. The Breeze. “If they … I was an offensive lineman and someone did that to my quarterback, I'd probably want to shove them.”
This was the Dukes' first bowl win as a Football Bowl Subdivision team. They were promoted from the FCS before the 2022 season. Curt Cignetti, currently the coach at Indiana University, served as James Madison's head coach for his first two years at the highest level of college football.
James Madison head coach Bob Chesney (front row center) holds the Howard Schnellenberger trophy after defeating Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. , James Madison punter Ryan Hanson (back row center) reacts. Boca Raton, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynn Sladke)
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After Cignetti was traded to the Hoosiers, Bob Chesney replaced him and led the team to a bowl championship.
O'Neal, a redshirt junior from New York, transferred from Long Island University before the start of the 2024 season. He played with many other teammates in his first bowl game.
Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Feldkamp (No. 10) faces James Madison cornerback No. 14 KJ Frow and defensive lineman Immanuel during the second half of Wednesday's Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game. He is trying to pass while under pressure from Busch (No. 15). , December 18, 2024, Boca Raton, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynn Sladke)
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He finished his first season at James Madison as a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference defensive lineman. He had 13 tackles and 52 total tackles. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.
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