The Bowling Green–Toledo football rivalry is annual college football rivalry game between Mid-American Conference members Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and the University of Toledo (UT). The universities are separated by about along Interstate 75 (I-75). The Bowling Green Falcons and Toledo Rockets have exchanged two traveling trophies; the Peace Pipe Trophy (1980–2010), and the Battle of I-75 Trophy (2011–present). The series is currently tied 43–43–4.

History

The game is sometimes referred to as The Black Swamp Showdown and the Battle of I-75, as the cities of Toledo and Bowling Green are both located on I-75, just apart, and in the Black Swamp area of Northwest Ohio.

Traveling trophies

Peace Pipe Trophy In 1980, a scale-down replica was fashioned and placed on top of a trophy created by former UT football player Frank Kralik. The Peace Pipe Trophy is a miniature replica of an American Indian sacred ceremonial pipe, sitting atop a trophy with both football teams' logos. Kralik donated the trophy to the university to be given to the winner of each year's football game, which like many other college football rivalries is usually the last game of the regular season for both teams. Though the two schools play in different divisions in the Mid-American Conference, they have yet to meet in the MAC Championship Game.

The awarding of the Peace Pipe Trophy was discontinued after the 2010 game. The schools agreed to change the trophy after conversations with members of the American Indian community. Taken into consideration was the spiritual symbolism of the ceremonial pipe to the American Indian community, as well as the NCAA's push to remove inappropriate American Indian nicknames and symbols associated with member's athletic teams. The Peace Pipe Trophy will be permanently housed in the Toledo football trophy case as the Rockets won the last battle for the Peace Pipe in 2010.

Battle of I-75 Trophy Beginning in 2011, the two schools started playing for the Battle of I-75 Trophy. Sponsored by Fremont Federal Credit Union, it replaced the Peace Pipe Trophy. The Battle of I-75 Trophy was designed by Jeff Artz, who also designed the Fred Biletnikoff Award (awarded to America's top college football wide receiver).

Broken Toledo Win Streak (2010-2018) and Falcons Flip The Series (2019-present) Toledo won nine straight games from 2010 to 2018. The 2017 contest was, "a snoozer” as they blew out the Falcons 66–37 before a crowd that barely dented the Doyt’s capacity. Coaches on both teams agreed, "the fiercest and most-heated rivalry in the Mid-American Conference has lost some luster, and that's probably because of the lopsidedness". However, in 2019, on the 100th anniversary of the rivalry, Toledo's streak ended as Bowling Green, a 26-point underdog, defeated the Rockets. The Falcons coached by first-year Head Coach Scot Loeffler dominated all game. Walk-on Grant Loy got his first career start at QB, rushing for 137 yards and a TD while throwing for another. The Falcons Defense led by Brandon Perce held the dominant Toledo offense to only 7 points as the Falcons won 20–7. Toledo resumed their winning ways in 2020 and 2021, then the Falcons won 3 out of 4 from 2022-2025 to tie the series again. Having taken 4 of the past 7 matchups, Bowling Green had officially turned the tide back in their favor after the long Toledo streak in the 2010s.

Notable games (2000–present): 2001 – Bowling Green scored a series-record 56 points in a 56–21 victory. Quarterback Josh Harris completed 17 of 28 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Robert Redd had a game-high six receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. 2005 – Toledo defeated Bowling Green 44–41 in double overtime on a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to Chris Hopkins. Gradkowski completed 23 of 36 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns. 2010 – Toledo and Bowling Green met in the first primetime game in series history, with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN2 from the Glass Bowl. Toledo entered the game 6–4, while Bowling Green was 2–8. The Rockets defeated the Falcons 33–14, outgaining them 537–254. Toledo forced five turnovers, including three fumbles and two interceptions, and took a 26–7 halftime lead. 2013 – Toledo jumped out to a 21–0 lead, but Bowling Green rallied with 25 unanswered points to take a 25–21 lead in the fourth quarter. Toledo quarterback Terrance Owens then led a game-winning drive, finding Alonzo Russell for an 11-yard touchdown with 1:22 remaining to give the Rockets a 28–25 victory. 2014 – Kareem Hunt rushed for a then career-high 265 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries as Toledo defeated Bowling Green 27–20. Hunt's 91-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the third-longest rush in Toledo history at the time, and the victory gave the Rockets their fifth consecutive win in the rivalry. 2016 – Toledo defeated Bowling Green 42–35 after the Falcons erased a 35–21 fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game. Kareem Hunt scored the game-winning three-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining, giving the Rockets their seventh consecutive victory in the rivalry. The game featured 36 fourth-quarter points. 2017 – Toledo scored a series-record 66 points, surpassing its previous high of 63 in a 1935 shutout, en route to a 66–37 victory over Bowling Green. It was Toledo's eighth consecutive win in the rivalry. The 103 combined points were also a series record. Toledo running back Shakif Seymour tied the school record with five rushing touchdowns, while Terry Swanson rushed for a career-high 192 yards. Quarterback Logan Woodside threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns and broke Toledo's career record for touchdown passes during the game. 2022 – Barstool College Football Show visited the Glass Bowl for the 87th meeting between Toledo and Bowling Green. Dan Katz (also known as "Big Cat") received the key to Toledo from mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. Bowling Green defeated Toledo 42–35 in snowy conditions, with quarterback Matt McDonald throwing for a career-high 395 yards and four touchdowns. His 42-yard touchdown pass to Ta'ron Keith with nine seconds remaining gave the Falcons the victory, with Keith breaking several tackles on the play. 2023 – Bowling Green led 28–10 at halftime, but Toledo rallied for a 32–31 victory. Quarterback Dequan Finn threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Jacquez Stuart with 1:22 remaining to give the Rockets the lead and ultimately the victory. 2025 – On the 90th edition of the Battle of I-75 was played before a sold-out crowd at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. Toledo took a 21–0 lead, but Bowling Green rallied for a 28–23 victory, scoring 28 unanswered points for the largest comeback in program history. The victory was Eddie George's first in the rivalry as Bowling Green's head coach.

Statistics Bowling Green Toledo Games played 90 Wins 43 43 Ties 4 Home wins 23 25 Road wins 20 18 Consecutive wins 12 9 Most total points in a game 103 Most points in a win 56 66 Most points in a loss 41 35 Fewest total points in a game 0 Largest margin of victory 39 63 Smallest margin of victory 1 1 Total points scored in series 1,910 1,930 Shut-outs of opposing team 5 6 Source:

Game results

See also List of NCAA college football rivalry games

References