Detroit, MI- Junior Vandeross delivered a standout performance with 12 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown, including the game-winning reception in a thrilling six-overtime 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on Thursday.
“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 said after the Rockets’ thrilling six-overtime 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
In a fast-paced and thrilling first half of the 2024 Gameabove Sports Bowl, the Toledo Rockets surged ahead early, but the Pittsburgh Panthers mounted a strong comeback before Toledo seized control again.
Toledo struck first with an explosive 31-yard run by Jacquez Stuart and a 30-yard reception from Junior Vandeross, capped by Tucker Gleason’s 4th-down touchdown pass to Anthony Torres for a 6-0 lead. Pittsburgh quickly answered as linebacker Kyle Louis blocked a field goal attempt and scooped it up for a score, cutting Toledo’s lead to 6-2 early in the first quarter.
A blocked field goal ignited a 10-0 scoring run for Pittsburgh, with the offense capitalizing on an 11-play drive capped by Desmond Reid’s three-yard touchdown run to take a 9-6 lead. Ben Sauls extended the advantage to 12-6 in the second quarter with a record-setting 57-yard field goal from NFL range.
But Toledo wasn’t done. They quickly regained the lead with a four-play drive that saw Gleason connect with Vandeross for a 67-yard touchdown, making it 13-12.
In a back-and-forth contest, momentum shifted repeatedly, but the game ultimately came down to dominance in the trenches and sheer determination. Toledo’s star defensive tackle Darius Alexander applied relentless pressure, culminating in a pivotal pick-six by Braden Awls just before halftime. The play capped a 14-0 run, giving the Rockets a 20-13 lead heading into the break.
The second half of the 2024 Gameabove Sports Bowl showcased strong defensive efforts from both teams, with Pittsburgh leveraging two key Toledo turnovers in the third quarter. A quarterback change to freshman Julian Dugger proved crucial for the Panthers. Dugger immediately made an impact, finding Jake Overman for an 11-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20-20.
The Panthers’ offense, sparked by Desmond Reid’s hard running and electrifying moves, continued to dominate. Reid’s playmaking and Dugger’s arm put the Panthers in position, and Ben Sauls added a field goal to give Pittsburgh a 23-20 lead as the game headed into the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh’s defense held strong in the fourth quarter, while freshman quarterback Julian Dugger showcased poise under pressure, making plays with both his arm and legs. Dugger orchestrated a six-play drive capped by a touchdown pass to Raphael Williams, extending the Panthers’ lead to 30-20. However, Dugger’s only mistake came on a critical 3rd-and-6 when Toledo’s star defensive tackle Darius Alexander intercepted his pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. The play cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 30-27, keeping the Rockets within striking distance with less than eight minutes left in the game.
Quarterback Tucker Gleason and wide receiver Junior Vandeross kept the fans on their feet all day. Vandeross, with 11 catches for 184 yards and a touchdown, made a key 27-yard reception on 4th down to set up kicker Dylan Cunanan, who tied the game at 30-30 with under two minutes remaining, sending both teams into overtime for one final shot at victory.
Four quarters weren’t enough to settle this intense matchup, as the game went into overtime with Toledo winning the toss and electing to play defense first. A pivotal moment occurred when Desmond Reid dropped a wide-open touchdown catch. Freshman quarterback Julian Dugger responded by using his legs, scoring a 2-yard rushing touchdown to put Pittsburgh up 37-30. Dugger, who had already rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown, continued to make plays.
Toledo’s offense quickly responded, with quarterback Tucker Gleason leading an 8-play drive capped off by a QB sneak to tie the game at 37, sending it into yet another round of overtime. What started as a thriller seemed destined for more drama. At one point, Toledo stormed the field in celebration, believing they had won, only for the call to be reviewed, leading to a heavyweight battle between the teams.
Both quarterbacks found open targets in the overtime battle, but the defenses refused to give up anything. Pittsburgh’s offense was forced into an incomplete pass on the final play. Ultimately, it was the Gleason and Vandeross connection that sealed the win for Toledo. Vandeross walked off the field as both the game’s MVP and a champion, capping off a memorable performance.
