Toledo wins against Pittsburg in the Game Above Sports Bowl, an instant classic

Detroit, MI 12/26/24

The Toledo Rockets defeated the Pitt Panthers in a barn burner of a game in a bowl game record six overtimes. The Rockets Junior Vandeross III led the charge with 12 receptions for 194 yards with a thrilling 67-yard grab and run for a score. Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason threw for 336 yards with two scores while adding 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Defensively Toledo was able to force three interceptions with Braden Awls and Darius Alexander returning two of them for scores.  

Pittsburg playing without their top two quarterbacks due to injury and the transfer portal used two freshmen in redshirt freshman David Lynch and true freshman Julien Dugger. Dugger took over midway through the game and had a solid debut totaling 160 yards to go along with 3 scores. Desmond Reid carried the load for the Panthers with a versatile running style that chewed up the Toledo defense for 165 yards on 32 attempts.

The Rockets finish their season 8-5 while head coach Jason Candle ties Gary Pinkel with 73 wins, the most in Toledo history. Pittsburg finishes their season at 7-6 and on a six game losing streak after a promising 7-0 start.