Junior Vandeross III scored the game-winning touchdown in the sixth overtime to give Toledo a thrilling 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday.
Vandeross was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after finishing the contest with a career-high 12 receptions and a career-high 194 receiving yards.
Toledo celebrates after beating Pittsburgh, 48-46, in six overtimes in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday. It was the longest bowl game in NCAA history.
This is the longest bowl game in NCAA history, surpassing the five-overtime game between South Florida and San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl two days ago.
“This senior class wanted to get a win and the younger players did a really good job practicing all week,” said head coach Jason Candle, who tied Gary Pinkel for winningest coach Toledo’s all-time record with his 73rd victory. “There was a great effort and it showed that this team wanted to set the stage for what next year could be.” Many of these seniors have been here a long time and have been through some very difficult times. It felt like we had to win the game three or four times today, but we’re so proud of this team.
“To hold on and continue to fight like we did today, we were able to follow the emotional fluctuations during the match. It was a sloppy game at times, but I’m proud of our response. Today’s game was ultimately defined by who made the last play and who threw the last punch.
Pitt (7-6) appeared to have the game in hand in the second half, reeling off 18 straight points to take a 30-20 lead early in the fourth quarter, when defensive tackle Darius Alexander scored on a 58-yard field goal. six to cut the lead to 30-27. Freshman Dylan Cunanan’s 51-yard field goal tied the score at 30-30 with 1:45 left.
The two teams traded scores in the first two overtime periods before getting into a two-point conversation in the third overtime. After Vandeross caught the game-winning field goal, Pitt’s final pass attempt to tie the game fell incomplete, sparking a wild celebration on the field.
Toledo (8-5) led 20-12 at halftime thanks to two big plays. Trailing 12-6 midway through the second quarter, the Rockets scored two touchdowns in a 14-second span, first on a 67-yard TD reception by Vandeross, then on a 42-yard pick-six by Braden Awls.
Toledo was led by junior quarterback Tucker Gleason, who completed 26 of 50 passes for a career-high 336 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Jerjuan Newton finished with eight receptions for 84 yards in his final game as a Rocket.
The defense was led by safety Jaden Dottin, who had a career-high 10 tackles and his first career interception.