In a thrilling spectacle at Ford Field, Toledo triumphed over Pittsburgh with a score of 48-46, thanks to the exceptional performance of quarterback Tucker Gleason. This gripping encounter, which set a record for the most overtimes in a bowl game, commanded the attention of college football enthusiasts nationwide.
The GameAbove Sports Bowl witnessed a historic showdown as Toledo and Pittsburgh battled through six grueling overtimes. Tucker Gleason of Toledo displayed remarkable prowess by running for a touchdown in one overtime and delivering four scoring passes in subsequent overtimes. This intense match eclipsed the previous overtime record set just days earlier in the Hawaii Bowl.
Julian Dugger, a freshman from Pittsburgh making his collegiate debut, showcased his potential with two rushing touchdowns and two passing scores during the overtime periods. Despite his impressive performance, an incomplete pass in the sixth overtime sealed the fate of Pittsburgh, cementing Toledo’s victory.
The game was characterized by dramatic exchanges, with both quarterbacks trading touchdowns initially. The second overtime saw each team successfully converting field goals, followed by two-point conversions in the third overtime. Gleason’s decisive play in the fourth overtime gave Toledo a 44-42 edge, although a holding penalty briefly extended hopes for Pittsburgh after initially being stopped.
In the fifth overtime, Dugger’s scoring pass to Gavin Bartholomew put Pittsburgh ahead, but Gleason responded with his fifth touchdown pass, equalizing the score. The sixth overtime ultimately saw Gleason’s efforts pay off, pulling Toledo ahead once more and pressuring Dugger into a critical mistake with a bad throw, ending the contest.
Amidst these tense exchanges, Pittsburgh was without their regular quarterbacks, Eli Holstein and Nate Yarnell, resulting in David Lynch stepping in for his first game start. Lynch struggled early with two interceptions, leading to Dugger taking over and spearheading a brief comeback from a 20-12 deficit to a 30-20 lead.
Toledo’s defensive prowess was underscored by Darius Alexander, who returned Dugger’s interception 58 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 30-27. Another field goal by Toledo tied the game, setting the stage for the dramatic overtime.
The opening moments saw Toledo initiating the scoreboard with a touchdown pass from Gleason, though an extra-point block by Kyle Louis turned the tide momentarily. Pittsburgh, fueled by Desmond Reid’s run and Ben Sauls’ long-range field goal, held a 12-6 lead before Toledo regained the advantage with a long pass to Junior Vandeross III and a defensive touchdown courtesy of Braden Awls.
The GameAbove Sports Bowl will be remembered for its unprecedented six-overtime marathon and the standout performances of players like Tucker Gleason and Julian Dugger. In a display of resilience and skill, Toledo emerged as victors, overcoming both the challenge of Pittsburgh and the endurance test of extended overtime play.
Source: News4jax
