DETROIT — An entire year of practice has come down to the final game.
For Toledo, it represents the end of a star-studded senior class that dealt with a shortened coronavirus season, won a Mid-American Conference championship, played for another, won 11 consecutive games, spent multiple weeks ranked in the top 25, and demolished Mississippi State.
Finishing their careers with a victory over Pittsburgh would be a suitable sendoff.
"The senior class that you're talking about are guys that have lived through some really hard moments here at Toledo," Rockets coach Jason Candle said. "You've got guys that have went through losing a teammate. You've got guys that went through COVID. You've got guys that went through multiple injuries that have taken seasons away from them. You've got guys that have won championships. You've got guys that have lost championships.
"Their experiences have been all over the map. And they've stayed the course and really viewed prosperity and adversity as the same thing. They've tried to take lessons from both sides and done a good job. That's all we've really ever asked them to do. So, I want to do a great job putting this team in position to help win their last football game. They should leave here with a great memory."
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Who: Toledo (7-5) vs. Pittsburgh (7-5)
When: 2 p.m. Thursday
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
Spread: Pitt by 7
TV: ESPN
Radio: 1370 AM
Follow: Kyle Rowland
Threads: Blue helmets, blue jerseys, blue pants.
🔵🔵🔵#TeamToledo pic.twitter.com/cV3x2YFlzf
— Toledo Football (@ToledoFB) December 26, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
● Toledo: Jerjuan Newton. The honorable mention All-American will play his final game as a Rocket. He ranks fifth nationally with 11 touchdown catches, 26th with 949 yards, and 39th with 64 total receptions.
● Pitt: Desmond Reid. He was named All-ACC as a running back, punt returner, and all-purpose player, averaging 5.3 yards per rush, 56.4 receiving yards per game, 12.3 yards per punt return, and 150.0 total yards per game.
STATS TO KNOW
● 2019: Toledo has lost its last two games. The last time the Rockets lost three straight was 2019, the only three-game losing streak of Candle's career.
● 3,099: The Panthers have allowed 3,099 passing yards this season. Only 15 schools have given up more yards through the air.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Tucker Gleason vs. Pitt secondary: The Rockets' run game is not dependable, so if Toledo is going to create offense, it will happen through the air. Jerjuan Newton is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the country, and fellow WR Junior Vandeross III and tight end Anthony Torres can generate mismatches against the Panthers.
Pitt has allowed more than 3,000 passing yards -—more than 250 yards per game — and 20 TD passes. All-American linebacker Kyle Louis has four interceptions, but the cornerbacks are vulnerable. However, the Panthers do get after quarterbacks through sacks and hurries.
PREDICTION
Toledo and Pitt have been unpredictable most of the season, which makes a game prediction difficult. Motivation will play a significant role in this game's outcome. If one of the teams isn't interested in playing in Detroit on the day after Christmas, the score could be lopsided. And if you had to set odds on which team is more likely to be motivated, I'd put my money on Toledo. The Rockets have an opportunity to beat a power conference team for the second time this season after liquidating Mississippi State on the road in September.
UT's game plan should be simple: let the ball fly. The Rockets haven't been able to establish a run game all season. Why try to start now? Go with your strength. Tucker Gleason is plenty capable of having a monster game with Jerjuan Newton, Junior Vandeross, and Anthony Torres catching passes. Eli Holstein and Desmond Reid could do some damage. Again, though, this is a chance for Toledo's defense to step up in a spotlight game. Toledo 27, Pitt 25.
First Published December 25, 2024, 4:39 p.m.
