Bowling Green - Toledo Rivalry
MAC Spotlight: Bowling Green and Toledo Rivalry
Bowling Green - Toledo Rivalry -- The Battle of I-75
On Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 8 pm ET, Bowling Green and Toledo will renew their rivalry with the 79th meeting between the two schools. Bowling Green leads the series, 39-35-4, however Toledo has won the last four games over Bowling Green. The schools will be playing for the 'Battle of I-75 Trophy', named after the stretch of highway that separates the two schools, approximately 20 miles part in Northwest Ohio.
The rivalry began in 1919, was halted from 1936 through 1947, then resumed as an annual affair since 1948. The 12-year absence in the series has become the stuff of legend over the years. Rocket fans claimed the Falcons dodged them following a 63-0 Toledo victory in 1935, while Bowling Green boosters said it had more to do with alleged poor sportsmanship by Toledo players and fans at that game.
In any case, the Falcons got a measure of revenge with a 21-6 triumph when the series resumed in 1948. The series was traditionally played in October until 2000 when it was moved to the end of the season to accommodate an ESPN broadcast. The contest stayed in that late November slot throughout the decade until 2011 when it was moved back to an October date. In 2012, the game was played on Sept. 15 in the Glass Bowl, the earliest date ever for the rivalry, and last year it was played on Oct. 26 in Bowling Green.
Battle of The I-75 Trophy
For the just the third time in the history of the Toledo-Bowling Green rivalry, the winner of the game will hoist the Battle of I-75 Trophy. The trophy was officially awarded to Toledo in 2011 following its 28-21 win, but the trophy was not completed in time for the game.
From 1980-2010, the trophy that traded hands between Toledo and Bowling Green was referred to as “The Peace Pipe.” Beginning in 2011, the schools retired the trophy in deference to Native American culture, and began using the Battle of I-75 Trophy, a two-piece bronze and granite sculpture that is so heavy it was created with a separate base.
