Pitt
Toledo
Game Week: Panthers Set for 2024 Finale at the GameAbove Sports Bowl
12/18/2024 9:31:00 AM | Football
Pitt is 2-0 all-time in Detroit-hosted bowl games
PITT vs. TOLEDO
GAMEABOVE SPORTS Bowl • DETROIT, MICH.
December 26, 2024 • 2 p.m.
Ford Field (65,000/FieldTurf)
ESPN • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network
GAME STORYLINES
- The 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl marks Pitt's 38th all-time postseason appearance and seventh under the direction of Coach Pat Narduzzi.
- Pitt and Toledo will meet for the first time in 18 years and fourth time overall. The Panthers hold a 2-1 series edge and won the most recent encounter, 45-3, in 2006.
- Pitt is 34-5 all-time against Mid-American Conference foes.
- Pitt is 2-0 all-time in Detroit-hosted bowl games, most recently defeating Eastern Michigan, 34-30, in 2019. Pitt also played at Ford Field in 2013 and scored a 30-27 win over Bowling Green.
- A victory over the Rockets would give the Panthers an eighth victory on the year and mark a five-game improvement over 2023's three-win campaign.
- Since 1990, Pitt has won at least eight games 11 times. Among Pitt head coaches during that span, Pat Narduzzi has the most seasons with at least eight wins (five).
- All-America all-purpose back Desmond Reid ranks sixth nationally with an average of 150.90 all-purpose yards per game.
- The Panthers have been fixtures in the opposing backfield. Pitt ranks third nationally in sacks (3.33 avg.) and fourth in tackles for loss (8.3 avg.).
- All-America linebacker Kyle Louis paces Pitt in tackles for loss (15.5) and quarterback sacks (seven).
- All-ACC safety Donovan McMillon (team-high 108 tackles) is the first Pitt player to record consecutive 100-tackle seasons since linebacker Scott McKillop in 2007-08.
SERIES IN BRIEF
Series Began: 2002
Series Overall: Pitt leads 2-1
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 2-0
At Toledo: Toledo leads 1-0
At Neutral Sites: DNA
OT Games: DNA
Last Meeting (at Pitt): Sept. 30, 2006 (Pitt won, 45-3)
Last Meeting at UT: Sept. 20, 2003 (Toledo won, 35-31)
Current Series Win Streak: Pitt has won 1 (2006)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 1 game, twice (2002; 2006)
Longest Toledo Series Win Streak: 1 game (2003)
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 42 points (45-3, 2006)
Largest Toledo Victory Margin: 4 points (35-31, 2003)
COACHING MATCHUP
Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi
Overall (season): 72-55 (10th)
At Pitt (season): same
Alma Mater: Rhode Island, 1990
Record vs. Boston College: 0-0
Toledo Coach Jason Candle
Overall (season): 72-40 (ninth)
At Toledo (season): same
Alma Mater: Mount Union, 2003
Record vs. Pitt: 0-0
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television • ESPN
Matt Schumacker (play-by-play)
Dustin Fox (analyst)
Harry Lyles Jr. (reporter)
93.7 The Fan & Pitt Radio Network (937thefan.radio.com)
Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)
Pat Bostick (analyst)
Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
SiriusXM 371 and on the SiriusXM App
WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM
