Two teams eager to shake off the sting of disappointing season finales will meet on Thursday as the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) face off against the Toledo Rockets (7-5) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. The Panthers fell short in their most recent outing, succumbing to the Boston College Eagles, 34-23. Meanwhile, the Rockets also stumbled in their final regular-season game, losing a tight battle to the Akron Zips, 21-14.
Toledo's offense ranks 73rd nationally, averaging 26.9 points per game, but boasts a strong defense sitting at 32nd by allowing just 21.3 points per game. Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason has been consistent, throwing for 2,457 yards with a 61.8% completion rate and boasting a 22-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh's offense has been more productive with 31.8 points per game, ranking 40th overall. Nonetheless, their defense has not fared as well, allowing 26.8 points per contest, landing them at 82nd nationally. The Panthers will miss quarterback Nate Yarnell, who entered the transfer portal, and Eli Holstein, who is sidelined with injury. This puts walk-on David Lynch behind center for the bowl game.
Lynch, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, stepped up due to the injuries to the starting squad. He briefly appeared during the final two games of the season and now earns the starting role. Before arriving at Pitt, Lynch led his high school team to multiple championships and had impressive stats at IMG Academy.
Despite losing their regular quarterbacks, the Panthers hope to leverage their run game, highlighting Desmond Reid, who has rushed for 797 yards this season. He has been the heartbeat of the offense, contributing both on the ground and through the air with 564 receiving yards.
Coached by Pat Narduzzi, who has been with the program since 2014, Pitt faces the challenge of maintaining performance without its key players. “(Desmond Reid) will be ready for a bowl game,” Narduzzi commented after their season finale against Boston College, emphasizing the importance of Reid for their chances against Toledo.
The Toledo Rockets, also bringing their 7-5 record, are led by head coach Jason Candle, who has been with the program since 2009, taking over as head coach since 2015. No team within the Mid-American Conference has achieved more wins than Toledo during his tenure, boosting their confidence as they approach the bowl game.
The game promises to attract significant local interest, with fans eager to see whether Pitt can rally from their recent string of losses or if Toledo will continue their solid performance under Candle’s guidance. The stage is set for 2 p.m. ET on December 26 at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions, giving the game additional allure.
With both teams aiming for redemption, the GameAbove Sports Bowl offers them the last opportunity to showcase their talent for the 2024 season. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN and SiriusXM, with opportunities for commentary specific to the Pittsburgh team on channel 371.
For the Panthers, the absence of key players like Holstein has adjusted expectations, but the squad looks to finish strong. Meanwhile, Toledo hopes to capitalize on their strengths and add another compelling chapter to their bowling history.
