In a contest that lasted nearly five hours and included a record six overtimes, Jason Candle’s Toledo club defeated Pitt 48-46 to win the 2024 GameAboveSports Bowl.

Six overtimes surpassed Tuesday’s Hawaii Bowl for the most overtimes in an FBS bowl game.

The Rockets opened the scoring behind quarterback Tucker Gleason’s two-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Anthony Torres, capping an eight-play, 75-yard march to the end zone on the game’s opening drive.

Pitt would score points on the ensuing PAT attempt as Dylan Cunanan’s kick was blocked and blocked by Panthers’ All-American linebacker Kyle Louis, who returned it 85 yards for a two-point score.

Both teams traded points for the remainder of the first half, but the Panthers received a spark in the third quarter when Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi substituted sophomore quarterback David Lynch in favor of true freshman Julian Dugger.

After Lynch went 10 of 18 for 65 yards and two interceptions, Dugger led the Panthers to 18 consecutive points to take a 30-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

However, the Rockets scored the final 10 points of regulation, starting with a 58-yard pick-six by Toledo DT Darius Alexander with 7:49 left – followed by a game-winning 51-yard field goal by Cunanan with 2:4 left in the fourth quarter 54 players left.

Junior Vandeross III

As has been the case for the Rockets all season, the passing game led the way for Candle’s team. Junior Vandeross III had 12 receptions for 194 yards and a touchdown. Seven of his receptions came in the fourth quarter and overtime. Vandeross III received the game’s Most Valuable Player award.

Julian Dugger

Pittsburgh native Julian Dugger made his collegiate debut at 10:42 of the third quarter, immediately making a splash on the Panthers’ offense. The 6-foot, 195-pounder completed four of his first five passes – two of which were touchdowns, which helped Pitt’s comeback in the second half. Dugger went 7 of 13 for 72 yards and two touchdowns while adding 88 yards and a score on the ground. Dugger’s only blemish was the pick-six from Alexander that helped the Rockets come back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Goal line defense

Although Toledo’s defense allowed the Panthers to make a comeback in the second half, it held firm in the game’s crucial moments. In the second overtime, Pitt had three chances to score a game-winning touchdown inside the Toledo five-yard line. However, the Rockets forced Pitt to settle for a 19-yard field goal to tie the game at the 40. On the final play of the game, Toledo forced Dugger to make a rushing throw that failed incomplete – securing the Rockets’ victory.

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