Duke crushes Temple 56-27 in Independence Bowl

Daniel Jones threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns, T.J. Rahming caught 12 passes for 240 yards and two scores, and Duke blew past Temple 56-27 in Thursday’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Duke (8-5) snapped a two-game losing streak by putting on an offensive show. The Blue Devils scored touchdowns on seven straight drives, flipping a 27-14 deficit in the second quarter to a 56-27 lead by midway through the fourth.

Jones’ five touchdown passes and 423 yards passing both set Independence Bowl records. So did Duke’s 56 points.

Duke Coach David Cutcliffe won his fourth Independence Bowl. After leading Ole Miss to victories in Shreveport in 1998, 1999 and 2002, he is already enshrined in the bowl’s Hall of Honor.

Temple (8-5) lost for just the second time in its past eight games.

The Owls took a 13-7 lead in the first half after Delvon Randall’s 52-yard interception return for a touchdown. It was the 10th game this season in which the team scored a non-offensive touchdown.

Temple pushed ahead 27-14 late in the second quarter, but Duke responded with 22-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Rahming to pull within 27-21 by halftime.

Temple’s Anthony Russo completed 25 of 46 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Big picture

Temple: The Owls looked great for most of the first half, but once Duke’s offense got going, Temple’s defense didn’t have an answer. Now Temple will focus on the transition to new coach Manny Diaz, who replaces Geoff Collins.

Duke: It was an impressive win for Duke, which scored just 13 combined points in losses to Clemson and Wake Forest to end the regular season. The lopsided result gives the Blue Devils some momentum heading into 2019.

Up next

Temple loses a senior class that’s been to four straight bowl games. But the Owls will return some quality players on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Russo. Temple hosts Bucknell in the season opener next year.

Duke should return most of its defense next season, but must replace several offensive starters, including three linemen. The Blue Devils have a difficult game against Alabama in Atlanta to open next season.