September 14, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Toledo Rockets quarterback Tucker Gleason (4) attempts to pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Photo Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images Tucker Gleason completed 23 of 28 passing attempts for 285 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions to lead undefeated Toledo to an unexpected 41-17 win over Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi.
Mississippi State (2-1) was a 10-point favorite in the first meeting between the two teams.
Toledo (3-0) earned its second road win against an SEC school. The Rockets, 2-4 against the SEC, beat Arkansas in 2015 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Toledo took control on its first possession, driving 70 yards in 12 plays, capped by Gleason’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Junior Vandeross III.
The drive lasted 6:13 minutes and gave the Rockets a 7-0 lead with 6:35 minutes left in the first quarter.
After Toledo had to punt on the next possession, the team scored a touchdown the next three times it had the ball.
Gleason threw another touchdown pass, a 6-yard pass to Jerjuan Newton, and Connor Walendzak and Willi Shaw III each scored a rushing touchdown to give Toledo a 28-3 lead with 1:09 left in the first half.
Mississippi State threatened to score another point at the end of the first half, but failed when coach Jeff Lebby opted for a touchdown instead of a field goal when the ball was on the Rocket 12-yard line with one second left.
Blake Shapen’s pass in the end zone was intercepted by Avery Smith.
Shapen, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Baylor, completed 28 of 39 passing attempts for 319 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.
Toledo extended its lead early in the third quarter after Mississippi State lost the ball on a down at its 37-yard line.
Davon Booth was stopped on the fourth and first attempt by Lance Dixon and Cavon Butler of Toledo without being able to gain any ground.
Four plays later, Gleason scored on a 15-yard touchdown with Newton to make it 35-3 with 10:05 left in the third quarter.
Mississippi State responded on its next possession, completing a 13-play, 72-yard drive that was capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Shapen to Mario Craver.
The Bulldogs cut the lead to 38-17 with 6:11 minutes left after an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Shapen’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Coleman Jr.
–Field level media
