Toledo leads Temple at halftime of the Boca Raton Bowl, 12-3, but the more concerning development for Matt Rhule’s Owls was running back Jahad Thomas leaving the game late in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury.
Rockets defensive tackle Treyvon Hester rolled up on Thomas’ leg on a running play, and the Owls’ leading rusher limped off the field with help. Rhule told the ESPN broadcast Thomas’ injury didn’t look good, but was unsure if he’d be able to return for the second half.
Thomas was struggling as Temple’s offense slogged to only 67 first-half yards, rushing eight times for five yards in a sloppy, off-and-on rainy evening in Florida.
Toledo quarterback Phillip Ely -- who was denied a sixth year of eligibility, according to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy -- sliced through Temple’s defense for 168 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Rockets also scored on a safety when linebacker Ja’Wuan Woodley blew up the mesh point of a read option and forced the ball out of the back of the end zone.