Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe entered Saturday’s RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl game against Appalachian State with 56 passing touchdowns this season. That was, by far, the most among FBS quarterbacks on the year, including 13 more touchdowns than Alabama quarterback and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
So after a stellar performance in the Hilltoppers’ season finale, Zappe now owns the FBS record for most passing touchdowns ever in a single season, as well as the record for most passing yards in a season. And the senior quarterback’s numbers for the year and for his team’s bowl game are outrageous.
With Zappe’s 56 touchdowns prior to the Boca Raton Bowl game, he needed four to tie former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow’s record of 60, set during the Tigers’ 2019-20 championship season.
And after throwing for four touchdowns in the first half against the Mountaineers to tie the mark, Zappe’s fifth touchdown pass of the game broke Burrow’s record. Here it is from about midway through the third quarter on a two-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley:
— Follow @TPortalCFB (@CowardlyDoggo) December 18, 2021
But, as we mentioned, that wasn’t the only record Zappe set Saturday.
He also broke the single-season passing yards record, which previously belonged to Texas Tech’s B.J. Symons at 5,833 yards. Going into the bowl game, Zappe previously had 5,545 passing yards on the season — also the most among FBS quarterbacks at that point.
Here’s a look at the moment Zappe blew past the passing yards mark in the second quarter on a 43-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jerreth Sterns:
🚨Bailey Zappe has broken the FBS passing yards record for a season!!!🚨 Zappe passes former Texas Tech QB BJ Symons (threw 5833 yards back in 2003)! pic.twitter.com/JpvF8Eg246
— ✯✯✯✯✯ (@FTB_Vids_YT) December 18, 2021
Leading Western Kentucky to a 59-38 victory over Appalachian State, Zappe completed 33-of-47 passes for 422 yards and six (!!!) touchdowns. So his single-season passing touchdown record is set at 62, while his single-season passing yards record is now 5,967.
Entering Saturday’s bowl game, Zappe already posted some incredible stats throughout his standout season. But once he broke two major college football passing records, fans were completely in awe of what he accomplished in 14 games this season.
