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DETROIT, MI - Florida International used a little razzle-dazzle to convert a 4th-and-17 situation in the final minute before Jack Griffin kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to give the Panthers a dramatic 34-32 win Sunday at Ford Field in the Little Caesars Bowl.

Not only was it FIU’s first bowl win, the victory capped the school’s first winning season. The Golden Panthers finished 7-6 in their sixth season of Division I FBS play. Florida International’s first season of football was 2002. Just three years ago, FIU finally snapped a 23-game losing skein.

THE HILTON FOOTPRINT - SMALL BUT DEEP
T.Y Hilton, the Sunbelt’s 2010 Player of the Year, had a relatively quiet night Sunday as a receiver, catching three passes for 32 yards and one touchdown. However, he also contributed a momentum-shifting 89-yard kickoff return for another score in the third quarter and was involved in the game’s pivotal play.

A Toledo sack and subsequent FIU incompletion left the Golden Panthers facing a do-or-die 4th-and-17 situation in the final minute. Quarterback Wes Carroll found Jacob Miller for nine of the necessary yards, but he quickly lateraled the ball to Hilton.

The 5-10, 183-pound junior sped for the first down maker before being forced out of bounds. Officials ruled he had picked up the first down – albeit by inches - and replays confirmed  the call.

After an incompletion, Carroll hit Greg Ellingson with a 20-yard pass for another first down at the Toledo 22. Darriet Perry gained five yards on a rush and Griffin came on with four seconds left to kick the game-winner.

The wild celebration that followed almost belonged to Toledo (8-5). The Rockets dominated play early and owned a 21-7 lead at intermission. Bill Claus’ 29-yard field goal at 9:44 of the third period gave UT a three-score lead. But energized by Hilton’s TD return on the ensuing kickoff, FIU came storming back. Perry’s seven-yard run and a 10-yard TD reception by Hilton put the Panthers in front, 28-24, with 7:34 left in the contest.

The Southern Conference representative made it 31-24 at 3:18 when Griffin nailed a 31-yard field goal. But Toledo’s offense, which hadn’t scored a touchdown since the second quarter, dug deep for its final drive. Adonis Thomas’ three-yard run on fourth-and-one was a key play in the nine-play, 62-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Terrance Owens covered the final 14 yards.

THE DECISION
That left the Rockets with a PAT decision – one point or two?

Coach Tim Beckman went for the two, and it paid off when Owens found Eric Page in the end zone to put Toledo out front 32-31 with 1:14 remaining.

Unwilling to give Hilton the chance for another big return, the Rockets executed a squib kickoff, but Ellingson returned it 22 yards to the FIU 48. With the help of their hook-and-lateral play on the key fourth down, the Panthers moved 35 yards in eight plays before kicking the game-winning field goal.

Toledo had a decisive edge in first downs (24-15) and total yardage (436-308). The Rockets were particularly effective on the ground, gaining 304 yards rushing the ball. Thomas led the way, registering a career high 193 yards on 24 carries (8.0 ypc). His 87-yard scamper for a second quarter score was the fourth longest in Toledo history and tied Little Caesars Bowl record. Owens netted 65 yards and David Fluellen added 56.

TURNOVERS, PENALTIES
Owens, a redshirt freshman, completed 15-of-27 for 132 yards and one passing touchdown for UT, but he was intercepted three times (all in the second half). Toledo also lost a fumble and was penalized nine times for 57 yards.

Page, a dangerous receiver and kick/punt returner, set up one UT touchdown with a 21-yard punt return. He also caught the two-point conversion that gave the Rockets their final lead. However, he drew plenty of FIU attention and ended up with a season-low 24 yards on five catches as a receiver. Tim Cortazzo led UT with 55 receiving yards (on four receptions), and Danny Noble had the only receiving TD – a 10-yarder in the second period.

Ellington’s seven catches for 66 yards paced Florida International’s receiving corps. Carroll completed 16-of-27 for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Perry led the Panthers rushing attack, contributing 132 of the 168 net yards.

NOTES:
Although it converted just 2-of-13 third down opportunities, FIU made good on 3-of-4 fourth down challenges …Senior linebacker Archie Donald finished as the Rockets’ season leader in tackles (146). He is the first UT player to lead the team in tackles in three straight seasons.   …FIU had one turnover, while UT turned the ball over four times … FIU had four penalties (44 yards), while UT drew nine flags (57 yards) … It was Toledo’s first bowl appearance since a 45-13 win over UTEP in the 2005 GMAC Bowl …. UT finished the season 8-5 under second-year coach Tim Beckman … Toledo is now 8-3 all-time in bowl games and 1-3 in bowl games played in Detroit … Florida International now leads the all-time series against UT, 2-1.