By JAMES BROWN
WCLU Sports
Glasgow grad Dalvin Smith closed his college football career with 76 receiving yards and an acrobatic touchdown catch. Despite his efforts, the WKU Hilltoppers lost in the Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday, 27-17, to James Madison.
Smith caught the 11-yard touchdown pass from Caden Veltkamp with 51 seconds left in the first half to give WKU a 14-7 lead. Smith hauled in the high pass with one hand, then took a shot from a JMU defensive back, but held on.
The former Glasgow High School standout has become known for his highlight plays in bowl games for the Hilltoppers. He posted a season-high three touchdowns in the 38-35 overtime victory over Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl in 2023, including two one-handed grabs, as well as a season-high nine catches. He had six catches for 145 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown, in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in 2022.
Smith was a team captain for WKU in Wednesday’s game. He joined the Hilltoppers in the spring of 2019, and had two redshirt freshman years due to COVID. His touchdown catch was the 21st of his career and ties him for fifth-most in WKU history.
The Hilltoppers have played in a bowl in each of Smith’s seasons on the hill. WKU is one of only 12 programs that have played in a bowl game each of the last five years from 2019-23 and was also eligible to play in a bowl game this season.
Information from WKU Athletics contributed to this report.
