Rockets Dropped by Akron in Overtime, 21-14

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio – Toledo rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter but ultimately lost to Akron in overtime 21-14 in the final regular-season game of the 2024 season at InfoCision Stadium on Tuesday evening.

After Akron scored touchdowns in the first and fourth quarters to build a 14-0 advantage, the Rockets (7-5, 4-4 MAC) rallied to tie the game late in the fourth quarter with touchdown catches by Anthony Torres and Jerjuan Newton. A potential game-winning kick for the Rockets at the end of regulation was pushed wide right. In overtime, Akron (4-8, 3-5 MAC) scored on its first play and the Zips held Toledo out of the end zone after the Rockets reached the Akron one-yard line.

“Tough way to lose,” said Head Coach Jason Candle. “Obviously, we didn’t make enough plays in critical moments throughout the course of the game. Early on we turned the ball over inside the five and then were stopped (at the goal line) in overtime. That really clouds the picture of a pretty efficient game offensively. We gained a lot of yards, we were efficient on third down. On defense we gave up a long play on the first play of the game and then the score in overtime. That really clouds a good defensive performance. Margins for error in college football are very small. That’s the difference.”

Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason finished 31-for-44 for 289 yards and two touchdowns, adding 80 yards on the ground on 11 carries. Sophomore Connor Walendzak added 87 yards rushing on 19 carries. Three Rocket receivers had at least 80 yards receiving – Junior Vandeross III had 11 catches for 84 yards, Newton caught eight passes for 81 yards and a score while Torres hauled in six receptions for 82 yards and a TD.

Senior Daniel Bolden led Toledo with eight tackles including four solo. Senior Cavon Butler made seven stops including a sack. Senior DeShawn Holt and junior Avery Smith each finished with five tackles on the evening.

The Rockets out-gained the Zips 465-328, including 176-107 on the ground but were just 2-of-6 in the red zone.

First Quarter

Toledo’s first drive ended with a blocked kick on a 45-yard field attempt.

Akron struck on the very next play with a 73-yard TD pass over the middle from Ben Finley to Ahmarian Granger.

Second Quarter

Toledo missed an opportunity to score when a 16-play, 94-yard drive came up empty due to a fumble that Akron recovered on the seven-yard line.

After Toledo’s turnover, neither team advanced into its opponent’s territory.

The two teams combined for eight punts and one turnover in the half.

Toledo outgained Akron in the first 30 minutes, 193-180.

Third Quarter

Toledo drove the ball 65 yards to the Akron 8-yard line but missed a 26-yard field goal attempt.

Fourth Quarter

Akron’s Taj Bullock scored on a keeper from one yard out on the third play of the fourth quarter to give the Zips a 14-0 lead.

Toledo cut the lead in half, 14-7, on a seven-yard TD pass on fourth down from Tucker Gleason to Anthony Torres with 10:47 left to play.

After a Zips punt, the Rockets drove right back down the field, with Gleason finding Newton on a 19-yard strike to finish off a seven-play, 92-yard drive to tie the game at 14-14 with 3:26 to play.

The Rockets then forced a three-and-out to get the ball back with 2:16 left in regulation. Toledo drove to the Akron 11, but a potential game-winning kick went wide-right from 29 yards.

Overtime

Akron scored on the first play of overtime when quarterback Ben Finley faked a run then threw to Charles Kellom who dove into the end zone.

Toledo drove to Akron’s one-yard line, but was stopped on three straight plays. An Akron sack ended the game.

Game Notes

Toledo played in its first overtime game since Oct. 16, 2021 at Central Michigan.

Senior Jerjuan Newton caught eight passes for 81 yards. Newton now has 198 career receptions, moving him past Bernard Reedy (195 from 2010-13) for sixth on Toledo’s all-time list. Newton also caught the 32nd touchdown pass of his Toledo career, adding to his school record.

Junior Vandeross III caught 11 passes, giving him 73 on the season, the most by a Rocket since Diontae Johnson caught 74 in 2017, and currently tied for 13^th-most in one campaign.

Tight end Anthony Torres caught his eighth TD pass of the season.

The 92-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter was Toledo’s second-longest scoring drive of the season. The Rockets went on a 93-yard touchdown drive against Bowling Green on Oct. 26.