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Rockets Defeat Panthers 48-46 in Six-Overtime Battle in the GameAbove Sports Bowl

Writer's picture: Lindsey KnightLindsey Knight

Updated: 24 hours ago


The Toledo Rockets brought home a 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh Panthers in six overtimes in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Thursday, Dec. 26.


The game was the longest bowl game in NCAA history, topping the five-overtime game between South Florida and San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl two days prior, Tuesday, Dec. 24.


Junior wide receiver Junior Vandeross III had a career-high 194 receiving yards—the sixth-most ever made by a Rocket—finishing six yards shy of becoming the fifth Rocket to earn 200 receiving yards in a game. Vandeross also caught a career-high 12 passes, totaling 85 for the season and the most since Bernard Reedy caught 88 in 2012.


Senior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton caught eight passes for 84 yards, giving him 72 receptions and 1,033 yards for the season. Newton now has 206 career receptions, pushing past Alonzo Russell (202 from 2012-2015) to become the fifth on Toledo's all-time list. Newton also became the eighth Rocket to pass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.


Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason threw for a career-high 336 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore safety Braden Awls had his fourth interception of the season, the team's best.


The defense was led by junior safety Jaden Dottin, who had a career-high 10 tackles and his first career interception. Junior cornerback Avery Smith and junior defensive back Nasir Bowers each had eight tackles and broke up a pass.


"This senior class wanted to go get a win and the young players did a really great job practicing all week long," said Head Coach Jason Candle. "There was great effort and it showed that this team wanted to set the table for what next year could be. So many of these seniors have been here for a long time and have been through some really tough times. It felt like we had to win the game three or four times today, but we are so proud of this team."


Toledo scored on their opening drive on a two-yard pass from Gleason to senior tight end Anthony Torres on fourth down. Pitt blocked the extra point and returned it 85-yards, making the score 6-2.


Toledo took the lead back 13-12 on a 67-yard catch-and-run from Gleason to Vandeross. On the next play, Awls picked off a pass and returned 42 yards for a touchdown, giving the Rockets a 20-12 lead with 7:24 left in the first half.


In the fourth quarter, senior defensive tackle Darius Alexander picked off a pass and returned 58 yards down the sidelines to the house, cutting the lead to 30-27.


Freshman placekicker Dylan Cunanan tied the score at 30-30 with his second 51-yard field goal of the season, with only 1:45 remaining in the quarter.


The Rockets and the Panthers traded scores in the first two overtimes before tying on two-point conversions in the third, fourth, and fifth overtimes. After Vandeross caught the game-winning pass from Gleason, Pitt's final pass attempt to tie the game was incomplete.


With the victory, Toledo is now 13-9 all-time in bowl games and has two wins over power conference opponents in the same year for only the second time in program history.

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