The Duke Blue Devils (9-5) took on the Arizona State Sun Devils (8-5) on Wednesday afternoon in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl from Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The two teams combined to score 52 points in the first half, which set a record for the most points scored in the first half.
The other records that were set in this game were combined total offense (1,158 yards), individual team offense yards (ASU, 619 yards). The game was tied three times, and two lead changes. The Blue Devils went on to beat the Sun Devils 42-39.
Duke’s offense had 539 yards (327 yards passing, 212 yards rushing), 24 first downs, and the team was penalized six times for 60 yards. Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 29 of 51 passes (56.8%) for 327 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and four carries for 21 yards.
Running back Nate Sheppard had 22 carries for 170 yards, one rushing touchdown, and two catches for 20 yards, while Anderson Castle had five carries for 18 yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Que’Sean Brown made 10 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeremiah Hasley had six catches for 50 yards and one touchdown, and Cooper Barkate made four catches for 37 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Todd Pelino made six extra points. The defense made 69 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, and two fumble recoveries.
Arizona State’s offense had 619 yards (375 yards passing, 244 yards rushing), 22 first downs, and the team was penalized three times for 33 yards. Quarterback Jeff Sims completed 27 of 38 passes (71%) for 375 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, seven carries for 70 yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
Running back Jason Brown Jr. had 12 carries for 120 yards and two catches for 14 yards. Wide receiver Jalen Moss made five catches for 129 yards and one touchdown, while Malik McClain made nine catches for 63 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Jesus Gomez made one field goal for 54 yards and made four extra points. The defense made 77 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and eight pass breakups.
