WATCH: WKU's Bailey Zappe breaks Joe Burrow's NCAA single-season passing TD record
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe has had a monster season this year, and that is now recognized in the record books. In the Boca Raton Bowl against Appalachian State, Zappe threw a touchdown that gave him 60 on the season. That tied the all-time record for most single season touchdown passes. Zappe accomplished that before the first half was over.
In the second half, Zappe threw another touchdown, his fifth of the day. That score was his 61st passing touchdown of the year officially setting the NCAA single season record.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow previously held the record after he threw for 60 touchdowns during LSU’s undefeated, national championship winning season in 2019.
The passing touchdown record wasn’t the only record that Zappe broke in the Boca Raton bowl. He also became the NCAA’s all-time single season leader in passing yards when he reached 5,843 yards.
Zappe previously spent four years at Houston Baptist at the FCS level prior to joining Western Kentucky this season. He threw for more than 6,000 total yards and 58 touchdowns over his first two seasons as a starter in 2018 and 2019. Last season, Houston Baptist played a shortened four game schedule due to COVID-19. The Huskies went just 1-3, but Zappe has a strong year, throwing for at least 380 yards in all four games.
After last season, Zappe decided to hit the NCAA Transfer Portal, and he wound up at Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers, who went 5-7 last season, are 8-5 so far this season. Entering Saturday’s bowl game, Zappe has completed 69.2 percent of his passes for 5,545 yards, 56 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his lone season at Western Kentucky. He also has three rushing touchdowns.
Zappe’s career has taken a leap since joining Western Kentucky
Despite spending the initial years of his collegiate career playing at the FCS level, it has been a seamless transition to FBS football for Zappe. Zappe has thrown for 300 yards in all but one game this year for Western Kentucky. He has seven 400-yard passing games, with multiple performances falling just yards short of that mark. Zappe has thrown for 500 yards twice this season.
With his strong play, Zappe could see himself rising on NFL Draft boards. He is unlikely to be a first round selection, but he should be picked on either Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.
Burrow’s record was extremely impressive, and it is just as impressive that Zappe was able to break it during his first FBS season. Zappe is a finalist for the Manning Award and the Earl Campbell Trophy.