DETROIT - The Toledo Rockets (7-5) face the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 26 (2:00 p.m./ESPN), looking to end their season on a high note with a victory over a Power Four opponent.

Among Toledo's seven wins this season are a 41-17 trouncing of SEC member Mississippi State on the road. A win over Pitt would give Toledo two wins over power conference opponents in the same year for only the second time in its history. The Rockets defeated Arkansas and Iowa State in 2015.

Pittsburgh is 7-5 with victories over Syracuse, North Carolina, Cal and West Virginia. The Panthers were ranked as high as No. 18 this year before falling out of the Top 25.

"Pitt is a great opponent," said Head Coach Jason Candle. "They're a well-coached team, very physical team. We've got our work cut out for us."  

Leading Toledo's offense is junior quarterback Tucker Gleason, who has thrown for 2,457 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 61.8% of his passes. Gleason has a pair of first-team All-MAC wide receivers to target - Jerjuan Newton (64 receptions, 949 yards, 11 TDs) and Junior Vandeross III (73 receptions, 763 yards, 4 TDs).
 
Toledo enters the GameAbove Sports Bowl having clinched its 15^th consecutive season without a losing record, the third-longest streak among FBS schools.

Toledo is looking to win a bowl game for the 13th time in its history. The Rockets are 12-9 in bowl games, going back to their first bowl win in the Tangerine Bowl in 1969. Toledo has played in bowl games in the Detroit area on four different occasions: the Motor City Bowl at the Pontiac Silverdome in 2011 and at Ford Field in 2002 and 2004, and the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2010.
 

Toledo vs. Pittsburgh
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
Thursday, Dec. 26 - 2:00 p.m.

• TEAM RECORDS: 
    Toledo (7-5, 4-4 MAC)
    Pittsburgh (7-5, 3-5 ACC)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo is 1-2 all-time vs. Pitt, including a 35-31 win in the Glass Bowl in 2003 when the Panthers were ranked No. 9 in the country. 

• THE COACHES: 
    Jason Candle, 72-40 (9th year) at Toledo, same overall. 0-0 vs. Pitt.
    Pat Narduzzi, 72-55 (10th year) at Pitt, same overall. 0-0 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN
    Play by Play: Matt Schumacker 
    Analyst:  Dustin Fox 
    Sideline: Harry Lyles, Jr 

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 12:30 p.m.
   Play by Play: Mark Beier
    Analyst: Jack Mewhort
    Sidelines: Mike Robinson

• WEB-AUDIO: Free live audio streaming of the UT Rocket Radio Network broadcast is available on UTRockets.com. 

• X/TWITTER: @ToledoFB: Regular updates on UT Football, live updates on game day.

• TICKETS: 
    Tickets for the 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl can be purchased through Ford Field here or at the gate on game day.

Rocket Launches
    • Toledo is playing in its fourth-straight bowl game and eighth under Head Coach Jason Candle. 
    • Toledo has been bowl-eligible for 15 straight years, the sixth-longest streak in the country.
    • Toledo is 12-9 all-time in bowl games.
    • Toledo has clinched its 15th consecutive season without a losing record, the fourth-longest streak in the FBS.
    • Jason Candle (72-39) needs one win to tie Gary Pinkel (73-37-3 from 1991-2000) as Toledo's all-time leader. 
    • Toledo leads the MAC in passing offense (246.17) and is second in passing efficiency (141.42).
    • Toledo has four seniors who have been invited to post-season all-star games: DL Darius Alexander (Senior Bowl), safety Maxen Hook (Senior Bowl), WR Jerjuan Newton (Hula Bowl), TE Anthony Torres (Hula Bowl).