Sponsored by roofing repair company RoofClaim.com, the game was officially known as the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl.
This was the sixth meeting between Western Kentucky and Appalachian State; the Mountaineers entered leading the all-time series, 4–1.
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe entered the game on the verge of FBS records for single-season passing yardage and touchdowns, respectively set by B. J. Symons of Texas Tech in 2003 and Joe Burrow of LSU in 2019.
[6] During the game, Zappe threw for 6 touchdowns and 422 yards, giving him possession of both aforementioned single-season FBS passing records.
Zappe also tied Burrow's single-season FBS record of 65 touchdowns responsible for (combined passing and rushing) from 2019.