James Madison Dukes defensive lineman Eric O’Neill recorded a key sack in the win against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Wednesday night in the Boca Raton Bowl.
O’Neill then celebrated the sack by emptying the quiver on Hilltoppers quarterback Caden Veltkamp. It wasn’t the only time he held the celebration, either, and college football fans on social media took notice.
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James Madison defensive lineman Eric O’Neill, #99, reacts after making a play against Western Kentucky running back Elijah Young during the first half of the Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game on Wednesday 18 December 2024 in Boca Raton, Florida. . (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
O’Neill had three tackles, including a sack, and James Madison won the game 27-17.
“It’s surreal. It’s probably the best moment of my life,” he told ESPN after the win. “We have a group of (championship football) guys that no one wanted coming out of high school. Now, we finished the season 9-4, winning bowl games at JMU. You can’t even dream of this.”
He was also asked about the celebrations after the game.
“It was just hard work, getting there and the celebration. I’m a big UFC fan, so it was one of those,” he said via The Breeze. “I don’t blame them if…if I’m an offensive lineman and someone did that to my quarterback, I’d probably want to put pressure on them.”
It was the Dukes’ first victory as a Football Bowl Subdivision team. They were promoted from the FCS ahead of the 2022 season. Curt Cignetti, who is now the coach at Indiana, was James Madison’s head coach during its first two years at the highest level of college football.
James Madison punter Ryan Hanson, back, center, reacts as James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, front, center, holds the Howard Schnellenberger Trophy after defeating Western Kentucky in the college football game of the NCAA Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Boca Raton, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Bob Chesney took over after Cignetti left the team for the Hoosiers and led the team to a bowl victory.
O’Neill, a redshirt junior from New York, transferred from Long Island University before the start of the 2024 season. He played in his first bowl game with many other teammates.
Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Veltkamp, #10, looks to pass while being pressured by James Madison cornerback KJ Flowe, #14, and defensive lineman Immanuel Bush, #15, during the second half of the game of the NCAA college football Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday. , December 18, 2024 in Boca Raton, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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.
