UT runs away with 32-17 win over No. 24 Temple in south FL.

The University of Toledo’s football team capped off its 2015 season with a 32-17 win over the No. 24-ranked Temple Owls in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl.

The win marks the first victory in the new Jason Candle era. Candle was hired five days after former head coach Matt Campbell left UT to take the head coaching job at Iowa State.

The Rockets (10-2, 6-2 MAC) reached 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2001 and the seventh time in school history.

The win also marks the first time ever a Toledo team has beaten two Associated Press Top 25 teams in the same season.

UT was led through a torrential downpour by senior quarterback Phillip Ely who passed for 285 yards and two touchdowns on 20 of 28 passing, winning offensive player of the game honors and the Iron Workers Union No. 55 “Ironman of the Game.”

Ely connected with eight different receivers on the night.

Before the game however, the Alabama transferred learned that his appeal for a sixth season due to injury hardship was denied by the NCAA.

Toledo wideouts came up with big play after big play. Sophomore Cody Thompson led the receiving core with four catches for 119 yards including a game-long 80 touchdown reception on Toledo’s first play in the fourth quarter.

Junior Corey Jones also made the highlight real with a 26-yard touchdown reception, breaking five tackles on his way to the house.

Senior Alonzo Russell also put his name in the history book with a six-yard reception in the fourth quarter to break the school record for most consecutive games with a reception, ending the streak at 50 games. The previous mark of 49 was set by Steve Odom in 2006.

A lot of the credit must be given to the UT offensive line, who didn’t relinquish a sack for the entire game — nothing new for this team. UT finished the season ranked second in the nation, allowing just four sacks in 12 games.

Storm Norton — the 6’8’’, 310-pound junior lineman — was named to the AP All-Bowl Team for his efforts. The All-MAC winner was the only player from the MAC to be named to the All-Bowl Team.

Running behind the front line were junior and sophomore running backs Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson. Hunt rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carriers while Swanson contributed 53 yards on 11 carriers.

The Toledo defense was stout all season and continued that during this game. The Rockets held the Owl’s to 17 points making it the sixth time this season they were able to hold an opponent to 20 points or less.

The defense held the Owls to just 99 yards on the ground and held Temple without a touchdown until 2:50 left in the game.

Sophomore middle linebacker Ja’Wuan Woodley sparked the Rockets sideline when he blasted Temple running back Jahad Thomas in the back field and forced him to fumble out the back of the end zone.

Woodley finished with six tackles and was honored with the defensive MVP for his efforts. Senior linebacker led the team with 11 tackles followed closely by Senior DE Trent Voss with 10. Voss was also credited with a pass break up and two QB hurries.

Following the safety kick, the Rockets drove 55 yards for a touchdown to take their first lead of the game 9-3 with 12:16 left in the first half and wouldn’t relinquish the lead from the point on.

Toledo fans will have to wait eight months to see their Rockets return to the field when they open up at Arkansas State on Sept. 3 in hopes of the schools first MAC Championship since 2004.