BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) – Phillip Ely hit Cody Thompson with an 80-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, and Toledo won Jason Candle’s first game as head coach, beating No. 24 Temple 32-17 in a soggy Boca Raton Bowl.
Candle was promoted from offensive coordinator three weeks ago when Matt Campbell took over at Iowa State.
The Rockets (10-2) positioned themselves to crack the final Top 25 for the first time since 2001, the last season they won 10 games. Temple (10-4) lost for the fourth time in seven games after starting 7-0.
Frequent driving rain hampered both offenses, but Ely went 20 for 28 for 285 yards and two scores with no turnovers.
Linebacker Ja’Wuan Woodley’s jarring tackle sent the ball squirting backward 15 yards through the end zone for an early safety, and the hits kept coming from the Rockets’ defense. Temple came into the game averaging 31 points but didn’t reach the end zone until less than three minutes remained.