Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe made history on Saturday in the Hilltoppers' 59-38 win over Appalachian State in the Boca Raton Bowl, becoming the FBS leader in single-season passing yards and single-season passing touchdowns.
Zappe first broke the yardage record, which was held by former Texas Tech quarterback B.J. Symons. The history-making moment came on a 42-yard pass to Jerreth Stearns late in the second quarter of what turned out to be an electric Boca Raton Bowl against Appalachian State.
The drive, like many of Western Kentucky's offensive possessions, ended in a touchdown strike that moved Zappe into a tie with Joe former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow for the most single-season passing touchdowns with 60.
Here it is! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/tHKmiGCkBD
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) December 18, 2021
Then, in the third quarter, the touchdown record fell as well. Zappe connected with Mitchell Tinsley at the goal line to give the Hilltoppers a 45-24 lead at the time and move him into first all-time with 61 passing touchdowns on the season.
.@MitchTinsley15 on the receiving end: pic.twitter.com/TXjwnBPbA5
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) December 18, 2021
Zappe finished the day 33-of-47 passing with 422 yards and six touchdowns.
Zappe's success leading an explosive Western Kentucky passing attack has been one of the great storylines of 2021 in college football. The graduate transfer arrived along with other key members of the Houston Baptist offense, two assistant coaches and a couple high-end wide receivers all joining the WKU program prior to the season. Coming into the game, Zappe's 426.5 yards per game average ranked No. 1 in the FBS by more than 20 yards per game, and his 56 touchdowns on the season led Alabama QB Bryce Young by 16.
Since Zappe threw for 458.3 yards per game across a shorter four-game FCS schedule in 2020 -- a number that would have ranked well ahead of FBS-leading Dillon Gabriel's 357 yards per game -- there was some excitement coming into the year about this infusion on offense at WKU. It didn't take long to realize the Hilltoppers had something unique going, and Zappe's place among the best single-season passing performances of all time is undeniable in the record books.
