Detroit, MI (BCSNN) — The 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field ended in historic and dramatic fashion as the Toledo Rockets defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers, 48-46, in six overtimes. The Detroit bowl game set a new record for the longest FBS bowl game since overtime was established in 1996.

Things started off with Pittsburgh winning the toss and deferring the kickoff to Toledo, which managed to chew up just over three minutes of clock on the opening drive before the Rockets converted on fourth and goal for the first touchdown of the game. Unfortunately for Toledo, the extra point attempt was blocked and returned 75 yards for a two-point scoop and score by Pitt's Kyle Louis, resulting in two points and a touchback for the Panthers.

Much like Toledo, the Panthers ate up just over three minutes of clock, but were unable to come away with anything before having to punt.

Desmond Reid got things going for Pitt in the second quarter with a pitch from David Lynch to give the Panthers their first touchdown of the GameAbove Sports Bowl, and put the Panthers on top, 9-6. Pittsburgh followed that up with a 57 yard field goal from Ben Sauls, to make it 12-6.

Toledo would regain the lead in the first half when Tucker Gleason found Junior Vandeross III on a short pass that turned into a 67 yard touchdown, after some fancy footwork by Vandeross.

On the ensuing possession, things only got worse for Pitt when Lynch was intercepted by Braden Awls, who then took it to the house on a 42 yard return for a touchdown. As a result, Toledo went into halftime leading Pitt, 20-12.

Coming out of the locker room, the Panthers quickly tied things up at 20-20, and for a moment, it looked like Pittsburgh would take control of the game, before the two programs began trading scores back and forth. Suddenly, things were tied up at the end of regulation, 30-30.

One overtime is good, but six is better. (Historic even.) In the fourth overtime, Toledo's Tucker Gleason scored a touchdown and the Rockets successfully converted the two-point attempt to take a 44-42 lead. Pittsburgh responded with a touchdown, but failed the two-point conversion attempt, sending the game into a fifth overtime.

Toledo scored again in the fifth overtime, but Pittsburgh managed to tie the game at 46-46 with a touchdown and two-point conversion. In the sixth and final overtime, Toledo scored a touchdown and successfully completed the two-point conversion, while Pittsburgh's attempt was unsuccessful.

"This senior class wanted to go get a win and the young players did a really great job practicing all week long. 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 Head Coach Jason Candle

This victory marks Toledo's first bowl win since 2022, while Pittsburgh continues its search for consistency after another promising start ended up fizzling out.