Temple to take on Duke in Walk-On’s Independence Bowl

It’s officially bowl season and the Temple Owls know who their final opponent of the season will be.

The Owls will take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana on Dec. 27 in the first ever meeting between the two programs.

Temple (8-4, 7-1) started 0-2, which included a loss to FCS opponent Villanova in the opening week of the season. Frank Nutile, the hero from a year ago, was sluggish and injured early. The schedule was suppose to get much tougher. The lofty expectations before the season seemed to be in doubt.

Anthony Russo took over the helm, and following a 45-35 loss to Boston College, Geoff Collins’ group was 2-3 as they entered AAC play. They finished the season going 6-1 in their final seven games, with the lone loss coming to the undefeated AAC champions UCF Knights.

Duke (7-5, 3-5) was on the opposite end of the spectrum as Temple. The Blue Devils started the season 4-0, but struggled in conference play, including two straight losses to end the season.

The Owls will be playing in their fourth consecutive bowl game after playing in just four in school history prior to this senior class coming to Philadelphia. Last season, Temple defeated FIU in the Bad Boys Mowers Gasparilla Bowl.

Temple is 3-4 all-time in bowl games. Duke is 5-8 in postseason play.

Kickoff is schedule for 1:30 p.m. EST and the game can be seen on ESPN.