The biggest football rivalry in the Mid-American Conference brought 29,697 fans to the Glass Bowl Stadium for the annual Battle of I-75 game on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The Toledo Rockets and the Bowling Green State University Falcons’ first meeting on the football field was on Oct. 13, 1919, where the Rockets won 6-0.
87 games have followed between the two, with a pause from 1936-1947 due to the animosity between the two teams. The rivals have faced each other every year since 1948, making this game the 77th consecutive meeting.
The two campuses’ football fields are separated by 26.1 miles, most of which is along the rivalry’s namesake Interstate 75, which runs from the upper peninsula of Michigan down to Miami, Florida.
This year, the Toledo Rockets (5-3, 2-2 MAC) fell to the Bowling Green Falcons (4-4, 3-1 MAC) 26-41 after three quarters of close play when the Falcons scored the final 13 points to seal the game, making this the fourth consecutive year where the away team leaves with the Battle of I-75 trophy.
Bowling Green took advantage of the short field, driving 45 yards in five plays on their first possession to take an early lead of 7-0.
On the following drive, senior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton caught a 34-yard reception to set up the Rockets for their first score of the game. Toledo tied it up 7-7 on a four-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Tucker Gleason to Newton.
Toledo started the second quarter with a 54-yard field goal, the second-longest in Toledo history, from freshmen placekicker Dylan Cunanan to bring the score to 14-10. The record is 55 yards set by Todd France in 2001 vs. Western Michigan.
The Falcons increased their lead to 21-10 on a two-yard touchdown pass from senior QB Connor Bazelak to senior tight end Levi Gazarek, ending a nine-play 79-yard drive.
With 2:58 left in the half, Toledo trimmed the Falcon’s lead to 21-17 with a 12-yard rush by Gleason, capping a 14-play and 75-yard drive.
After Toledo forced a BG punt, Falcon senior cornerback Jordan Oladokun stepped in front of a throw and raced 61 yards for a touchdown, pushing their advantage to 28-17.
Toledo took advantage of a 44-yard kickoff return by senior running back Jacquez Stuart to set up a 27-yard field goal by Cunanan. With no time remaining in the first half, UToledo made it a one-score game at 28-20 heading into the locker room.
The Rockets forced the Falcons to punt on their first possession of the half and then capitalized on their own opening drive, moving 93 yards in five plays to bring the score to 28-26 after a 64-yard pass from Gleason to Newton. The two-point conversion attempt by Gleason was incomplete.
Bowling Green added three points on a 47-yard field goal by junior kicker Zach Long to give the Falcons a 31-26 edge with 5:33 left in the third quarter.
Long then added on a 35-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 34-26.
Two offensive possessions later, the Falcons drove 60 yards in five plays, and junior WR Rahkeem Smith sealed the deal as he scored a 19-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 41-26.
"We have really good leadership on our team and in the locker room," said Toledo’s Head Coach Jason Candle. "Those guys have a lot of pride and I know the fabric that makes up this locker room. This is a tough football game that you drop in the middle of the year, but there is a ton of football left to be played. Each and every week in this league, you have to be at your best. As tough as it may be, you have to flush this one out and get back out to the practice field and prepare for next week."
Senior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton had a career day, establishing career highs in receptions (9) and receiving yards (164). His 64-yard touchdown reception was the longest in his career. His two touchdown receptions from the game gives him a total of 31 for his career, breaking the Toledo record of 30 set by Cody Thompson (2014-18).
“We’ve got to stay together through this process,” said Newton. “It’s a tough loss, but at the end of the day, it’s the game of football. We have more games ahead of us, and I’ve got to make sure everyone comes in ready to attack and get our minds right for the next games. Breaking the all-time receiving touchdowns record is a great accomplishment, but I’m focused on making sure the team comes in ready to work this week.”
Junior wide receiver Junior Vandeross III set his career high with 11 receptions. He finished the game with 106 receiving yards, making this the second time this year he has surpassed 100 yards. Gleason was 30-of-45 for 320 yards and two scores, setting his career marks for completions and attempts. Toledo defense was led by senior linebacker Dan Bolden and senior safety Maxen Hook with 10 tackles each, with Hook reaching double-digit stops for the fourth time this year.
“It’s a classic,” said Bowling Green head coach Scott Loeffler. “I think they say this is the top five rivalry in college football. It’s a rivalry game. There’s a lot of good things that have happened in these last six years. Think it’s three and three now, and that’s what this game is supposed to be like. Tons of respect for the Toledo players. They fought hard, and just came up a little bit short. I think they’ve got a great coaching staff, and I think they’ve got good football players.”
The Rockets maintain a 43-42-4 edge over the Falcons, having won twelve of the last fifteen matchups.
The Rockets travel to Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 2, with kickoff set for noon.
