Toledo's dramatic 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl will go down in history, not just for the thrilling play but for making history itself. This epic clash at Ford Field, which stretched a bowl-record six overtimes, broke the previous record set only days before when South Florida triumphed over San Jose State in a five-overtime thriller during the Hawai'i Bowl. But this game—wow, it was something else.
The emotional rollercoaster was like no other. It was a battle of grit, determination, and pure football tenacity. "It felt like we had to win the game three or four times today, but we are so proud of this team," said Toledo head coach Jason Candle, summing up the sheer exhaustion and excitement of a game that defied all expectations. He continued, "To hang in there and to keep fighting like we did today, we were able to keep up with the emotional swings over the course of the game. It was a sloppy game at times, but I am proud of our response. Today's game was ultimately defined by who made the last play and who threw the last punch."
This nail-biting contest marked the third overtime game of the season, already breaking records for the most overtime games in a bowl season since overtime rules were introduced in 1996. The game was a part of a whirlwind week for overtime action, with Northern Illinois topping Fresno State 28-20 in double overtime in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. And, in an unprecedented twist, there had never been a bowl game to reach four overtimes—until this week. To put it bluntly, the overtime drama was only heating up.
But the twists didn’t stop there. This year has been the first in history to feature multiple bowl games going into at least six overtimes, and earlier this season, Georgia took part in an eight-overtime thriller against Georgia Tech, winning 44-42. That game, along with Toledo’s triumph, cemented 2024 as the year of overtime insanity in college football.
Now, for those wondering how this wild game unfolded, here’s a breakdown: Tucker Gleason, Toledo’s fearless quarterback, was on fire. He ran for one overtime touchdown and threw for four more, keeping the Rockets in the game when it seemed like all hope was lost. On the other side, Pittsburgh's freshman quarterback Julian Dugger was showing his own brand of brilliance. Dugger, making his college debut, didn’t shy away from the pressure. He ran for two overtime scores and threw for two more, but it was his incomplete pass in the sixth overtime that sealed the Panthers’ fate, ending the game.
Despite starting the season 7-0, the Panthers became just the second team in FBS history to end the season with a losing streak of six or more games, including a heart-wrenching bowl defeat. The momentum was shifting, and the game was far from over.
In the overtime madness, both teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, with Gleason and Dugger each putting up impressive rushing scores. By the second overtime, each team had a field goal to keep things tied. Then came the third overtime: each squad threw 2-point conversion passes, and Gleason managed to add another one, pushing the Rockets to a 44-42 lead. But the drama didn’t stop there.
In a moment that would have ended most games, Dugger was sacked, seemingly bringing everything to a close. But a penalty on Toledo for holding brought new life to the Panthers’ hopes. Dugger’s sneak attempt was ruled short, but upon review, it was clear he had crossed the goal line, keeping Pittsburgh’s hopes alive.
The game entered the fifth overtime with a new twist. Dugger connected with Gavin Bartholomew for a touchdown, putting Pittsburgh up 46-44. But Gleason wasn’t done. He quickly answered with his fifth touchdown pass of the game, tying it once again. Finally, in the sixth overtime, Gleason’s touchdown put Toledo back in the lead, but Dugger’s final throw was intercepted, and with that, the game was over.
"We didn't make the moment bigger than it was," Gleason said after the game. "When we got to the later overtimes, it was one play to end the season. That's what our mindset was. We just went out there and had fun."
The Panthers’ loss was compounded by the absence of their starting quarterback Eli Holstein, who was sidelined with a leg injury, and backup Nate Yarnell, who entered the transfer portal. This left David Lynch, a redshirt freshman walk-on, to make his first-ever start. However, Lynch was pulled in the third quarter after throwing two interceptions, and Dugger took over. The change in quarterbacks didn't seem to shake Dugger's confidence—if anything, it fueled his fire. But despite his efforts, the Panthers couldn’t find their way to victory.
Dugger’s early drives were impressive. He led the Panthers to two touchdowns and a field goal on their first three drives, turning a 20-12 deficit into a 30-20 lead. It looked like Pittsburgh might have control. But Toledo wasn’t ready to back down.
The Rockets pulled off another pick-six when Darius Alexander picked off Dugger’s pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. With the extra point, the Rockets closed the gap to 30-27, and then with 1:45 left in regulation, Toledo hit a field goal to tie the game.
Toledo’s offense had started off hot with an early touchdown pass from Gleason. But a blocked extra point attempt by Kyle Louis, who returned it for a defensive 2-point conversion for Pitt, gave the Panthers their first lead of the game. The back-and-forth continued, with Desmond Reid rushing for a 3-yard touchdown and Ben Sauls hitting a 57-yard field goal to put Pittsburgh ahead 12-6.
However, Toledo wasn’t to be outdone. Gleason hit Junior Vandeross III for a 67-yard touchdown pass to put Toledo back on top 13-12. And then came the defining moment: on the next play, Braden Awls intercepted David Lynch's pass and returned it 42 yards for another touchdown. This put Toledo up 20-12 going into halftime.
The game had everything—heart-pounding moments, clutch plays, and a wild finish. What stood out most, however, was the resilience of both teams, particularly Toledo. The Rockets fought through the chaos, kept their focus, and made plays when they mattered most.
This GameAbove Sports Bowl was a classic example of college football at its finest—unpredictable, exciting, and a showcase of raw athleticism. As for the players and coaches involved, they’ll remember this game for a long time, and fans will talk about it for years to come. The 2024 bowl season is certainly one for the history books.
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