Quick Lane Bowl Matchup

Posted December 03, 2017 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Duke (6-6, ACC) vs. Northern Illinois (8-4, Mid-American), Dec. 26, 5:15 p.m. EST (ESPN).

LOCATION: Detroit

TOP PLAYERS

Duke: Sophomore QB Daniel Jones has thrown for 2,439 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for an additional six scores.

Northern Illinois: DE Sutton Smith has been named one of five finalists for the 2017 Ted Hendricks Award. Smith leads the FBS in sacks with 14 and tackles for loss with 28.5.

NOTABLE

Duke: The Blue Devils became bowl-eligible by beating Georgia Tech and Wake Forest in the final two weeks of the regular season, overcoming double-digit deficits in both games. RBs Brittain Brown and Shaun Wilson have combined for 1,403 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.

Northern Illinois: The Huskies posted a three-game improvement from a year ago and will play in a bowl game for the ninth time in 10 seasons.

LAST TIME

It will be the first meeting between the teams.

BOWL HISTORY

Duke: Blue Devils will be playing in their fifth bowl game in six seasons and have an all-time record of 4-8 in the postseason.

Northern Illinois: The Huskies are 4-7 all-time in bowl games but have lost four straight since 2011.

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More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and www.twitter.com/ap_top25

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