Toledo Survives Late Temple Scare, Escapes 35–34 in Week 6 Thriller

Kyle Craig, The Stateline Gazette TOLEDO, Ohio — Tucker Gleason threw five touchdown passes and No. 4 Toledo survived a late two-point stand to edge No. 11 Temple 35–34 on Saturday night, holding off a furious Owls rally in one of the most dramatic games of Week 6 in the Stateline season.

Temple scored with under a minute remaining to pull within one and elected to go for the win, but Toledo’s defense stopped the conversion attempt, allowing the Rockets to escape and stay firmly in the East Division title hunt.

“I told our guys afterward, that’s a game that can define your season if you survive it,” Toledo head coach Tyler Holjes said. “Temple threw everything at us, and credit to our defense for finding a way when it mattered most.”

The game was tight from the opening quarter, tied 7–7 after one, before Toledo began to take control behind Gleason’s nearly flawless passing night. The Rockets led 21–14 at halftime and 28–21 after three quarters, leaning almost exclusively on the air attack.

Gleason finished 26 of 30 for 372 yards and five touchdowns, spreading the ball across a deep receiving group and consistently exploiting matchups downfield. Toledo managed just 45 rushing yards, but the lack of a ground game never slowed the offense.

Temple refused to fade. Quarterback Evan Simon kept the Owls within reach throughout the second half, answering Toledo scores and setting up a tense final minute. Simon completed 29 of 39 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score as Temple pushed the Rockets to the brink.

“We believed the whole time,” Temple head coach Grant Easterday said. “Our guys never panicked, never quit. That’s the identity we’re building.”

Down 35–28 late in the fourth quarter, Temple drove the length of the field using tempo and short throws. Simon capped the drive with a touchdown, cutting the deficit to one and forcing a decision.

“To beat a team like Toledo on the road, you’ve got to be aggressive,” Easterday said. “I’d make that call again.”

Toledo answered with its biggest defensive play of the season, denying the conversion and sealing the one-point win as the home crowd erupted.

The Rockets’ receivers delivered throughout the night. Trayvon Rudolph caught four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, Junior Vandeross III added six catches for 87 yards and a score, and tight ends C.C. Ezirim and Jacob Peterson both found the end zone. Kenji Christian contributed a receiving touchdown out of the backfield.

For Temple, running back Jay Ducker was limited on the ground but became a major factor as a receiver, catching five passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Tight ends Peter Clarke and Ryder Kusch also scored as the Owls consistently attacked the middle of the field.

“We didn’t finish the way we want to finish,” Holjes said. “Good teams learn from wins like this. Great teams don’t put themselves in that position again.”

The loss dropped Temple to 1–5, but Easterday emphasized the bigger picture.

“This locker room knows we can play with anyone,” he said. “If we keep stacking efforts like this, the results will come.”

Toledo escaped. Temple earned respect. And Week 6 delivered its first classic.

Toledo 35, Temple 35

Team statistics Toledo — 417 total yards; 14 rushing attempts, 45 yards; 26 of 30 passing, 372 yards, 5 TDs Temple — 402 total yards; 24 rushing attempts, 117 yards, 1 TD; 29 of 39 passing, 285 yards, 4 TDs

Passing Temple — Evan Simon 29-39-285, 4 TDs Toledo — Tucker Gleason 26-30-372, 5 TDs

Rushing Temple — Evan Simon 7-65, TD; Jay Ducker 12-33; Jocquez Smith 5-19 Toledo — Chip Trayanum 7-48; Kenji Christian 2-2; Tucker Gleason 5-minus-5

Receiving Temple — Jay Ducker 5-99, TD; Peter Clarke 7-73, TD; Kajiya Hollawayne 6-41, TD; Ryder Kusch 3-18, TD; Xavier Irvin 2-32; Colin Chase 2-11 Toledo — Trayvon Rudolph 4-91, TD; Junior Vandeross III 6-87, TD; Eric Holley III 4-52; C.C. Ezirim 4-49, TD; Jacob Peterson 2-36, TD; Kenji Christian 2-36