Postgame Notes from App State vs. WKU in the Boca Raton Bowl

BOCA RATON BOWL POSTGAME NOTES: WKU 59, App State 38
 
Following a nation-leading six straight bowl wins in six consecutive years heading into this one, App State suffered its first bowl loss since moving up to the FBS ranks.
 
The Mountaineers finish the 2021 season with a 10-4 record. App State is one of four FBS programs to win nine-plus games every year since 2015 and one of eight programs with 10-plus wins in at least five of the last seven years.
 
This is the first time the Mountaineers have lost consecutive games since falling at UMass and at ULM in 2017.
 
WKU won for the second time in six meetings and snapped App State's three-game win streak in the series.

App State's 80-24 overall record since joining the FBS ranks in 2014 is sixth-best among FBS programs behind Alabama (103-9), Clemson (98-13), Ohio State (92-11), Oklahoma (85-19) and Georgia (84-21).
    
Super-senior wide receiver Thomas Hennigan extended his FBS record for career starts to 65. The previous record of 57 was held by Clemson OL Mitch Wyatt (2015-18) and Alabama OL Ross Pierschbacher (2015-18). 
 
Hennigan, Caleb Spurlin and Xavier Subotsch finished their careers by playing in all 66 App State games since the start of 2017, which eclipsed the previous school record of 62 by Pierre Banks from 2005-08. 
 
OFFENSE
 
Quarterback Chase Brice threw for 317 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. His season total of 3,337 passing yards eclipsed Armanti Edwards' school record of 3,291 set in 2009. Brice's four touchdowns tied a career high.
 
Wide receiver Thomas Hennigan caught a team-high five passes for 47 yards to finish his App State career with a school-record 242 receptions for 3,124 yards (tied for second in school history with Rick Beasley).
 
Wide receiver Malik Williams caught his 17th career touchdown, finishing his career tied for seventh in the school record books. He finished with 190 catches (fifth in school history) and 2,382 receiving yards (fifth also).
 
Wide receiver Jalen Virgil made his first touchdown catch of the year and the 11th of his career. He finished the game with three catches for 75 yards.
 
Wide receiver Dashaun Davis caught his first career touchdown on just his third reception of the season.
 
Wide receiver Christian Wells had four catches for a career-high 86 yards and a touchdown.
 
Running back Camerun Peoples ran for a team-high 101 yards, his third 100-yard game of the year.
 
Running back Nate Noel had 50 yards on three carries before not being able to finish the game. His season total of 1,126 rushing yards leads all Sun Belt players.
 
Running back Anderson Castle scored his third touchdown of the year and rushed for 54 yards on six carries.
 
Running back Daetrich Harrington rushed for a season-high 71 yards on 12 carries.

DEFENSE
 
Outside linebacker Nick Hampton had a sack and a PBU with three total tackles. He finished the year with 11 sacks, which is sixth-most in a season in school history.
 
In his final collegiate game, safety Kaiden Smith racked up 10 tackles, including one for a loss.
   
SPECIAL TEAMS
  
Chandler Staton broke the school record with his 20th field goal of the year (in 21 tries). He also finished the season a perfect 57-of-57 on PATs. His season scoring total of 117 points is ninth-most in the school record books.
 
Staton's career total of 464 points (best in Sun Belt and school history) moved him up to fifth-most in FBS history for points by a kicker.
 
Steven Jones Jr. blocked a field goal for his third career blocked kick or punt.
 
Jalen Virgil had a career-high 220 all-purpose yards on 75 receiving yards and 146 kick return yards (29.2 yards per kick return).