Duke players earn conference All-Bowl honors after performances in Pinstripe Bowl victory.
Duke was one of the 4 programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference to win their bowl game this postseason out of nine total teams advancing to bowl games this year, excluding Clemson’s upcoming trip to the national title game. The Blue Devils won the Pinstripe Bowl in a tight 44-41 overtime game against the Indiana Hoosiers and five Blue Devils were recently honored for their performances in that game by being named to ESPN’s ACC All-Bowl Team.
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Senior kicker Ross Martin, who was also named to the national AP All-Bowl Team, was also honored in the conference. Martin accounted for 14 of Duke’s points making 100% of his field goals and extra points which played a huge role in helping Duke win the Pinstripe Bowl game. Two redshirt senior offensive linemen for the Blue Devils were also honored, with center Matt Skura and offensive guard Lucas Patrick earning All-Bowl honors after helping the Duke offense break the Pinstripe Bowl scoring record with 44 points, produce three 100+ yard rushers in a game for the second time in school history, and compile over 500 total yards of offense while giving up only 1 sack.
Redshirt junior running back Jela Duncan was honored by ESPN’s ACC All-Bowl Team after leading the team with 109 rushing yards on 13 carries. Lastly, Pinstripe Bowl Co-MVP Shaun Wilson was recognized with Martin on special teams as the conference All-Bowl kick returner after sparking the Blue Devils with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the 4th quarter along with adding 103 rushing yards and gaining 282 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns.
Duke Football was able to win their first bowl game since 1961 and will look to build off of that victory heading into next season. Patrick, Martin, Skura will all be graduating this year but expect the running game to be a huge focus for the 2016 season with Duncan and Wilson both returning and hopefully playing major roles in the offense along with dual-threat QB Thomas Sirk. Congrats to all of the Blue Devils who were named to the ACC All-Bowl Team!