Toledo's 6OT Win in the GameAbove Sports Bowl is Why We Can Never Get Rid of Bowl Games

The GameAbove Sports Bowl was as silly as its name. It’s exactly why we can’t let expanded playoffs take away from our silly holiday bowl games.

Toledo and Pitt took us on a crash course of stupidity. The Rockets had a Fat Guy Thicc Six that helped them overcome a 10-point deficit and it is a total afterthought because of how the game ended.

We got free extra football in The Artist Formerly Known as the Motor City Bowl. Somebody needs to explain the new college football overtime rules to Pat Narduzzi.

Stupid Decision by Narduzzi

Pitt forced a field goal in the second overtime. They needed a touchdown to avoid getting into a 2-Point Shootout with Toledo, and it looked like it was going to come easily for the Panthers. Pitt had first and goal from the Toledo 3-yard line. After getting stuffed on consecutive plays at the one, a tight end got WIDE OPEN on a play-action pass. The ball was thrown high and dropped at the goal line.

This is where Pat Narduzzi threw up on himself and made this silly GameAbove Sports Bowl one of the silliest bowl games ever played.

Pitt had the ball on the 1-yard line with a chance to win the game on fourth and goal. Rather than use a 2-Point Play to win it in overtime No. 2, Narduzzi opted to kick a 19-yard field goal. By kicking the field goal, Pitt had to win the game by running plays from the 3-yard line. It made absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Fortunately, the decision burned Narduzzi, but not without more hijinx first.

Storming the Field Three Times in the GameAbove Sports Bowl

Toledo won the game with a sack about 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The Rockets’ bench cleared, but officials waved them back onto the field. There was a holding penalty on the defense. On the next snap, the Rockets stuffed Pitt. The team from the MAC rushed the field again, only to be told to return to the sideline for a review. The play was overturned, touchdown Pitt.

TOLEDO GETS THE STOP TO WIN!!! BUT WAIT!!! AFTER REVIEW THE CONVERSION IS GOOD!!! WTF??? pic.twitter.com/hc1lfxK9TA

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) December 26, 2024

The game approached the 5-hour mark when Toledo’s Tucker Gleason connected with Junior Vandeross in overtime No. 6. Looking for a kill shot, Toledo brought six rushers. The ball bounced off the blue turf in the end zone. Toledo won 48-46 in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Was this a high-quality football game? No. Are the new overtime rules stupid? Yes. That combination made for a wildly entertaining watch during the holiday season.