By: Jackson Wolek / Staff Writer
It may have taken nine years to get their first win against a BCS school, but the Golden Panthers did just that after traveling to Louisville, Ky. and coming away with a victory against the Cardinals on what seemed to be the T.Y Hilton show.
The one touchdown victory on Sept. 9, 24-17 being the final score, was owed to Hilton’s two touchdowns that made the difference in the first half of the game.
Ending the game with an astounding 201 receiving yards and 268 all purpose years, Hilton broke the previous record he once held.
“Just having fun and playing the game,” said Hilton. “Wes threw a perfect ball. Can’t ask for a better ball.”
Before the game, cornerback Andrew Johnson of Louisville tweeted that he was prepared to lockdown Hilton this game.
“I like our program and our players, we stay away from that kind of stuff,” said head coach Mario Cristobal. “Hopefully he earned the respect from us tonight.”
The win moves FIU to now 2-0 on the season. After being broadcast on ESPN College Football Primetime, the win and performance is sure to garner FIU national attention. Cristobal is well aware of what an impact the coverage will have on this season and those to come.
“I hope the eyes were real, real wide as to what went on here tonight,” Cristobal said.
The defense set the tone early on when linebacker Winston Fraser intercepted a pass from Louisville quarterback Will Stein and took it back 78 yards to put FIU up 7-0. The Golden Panthers did not allow any points until Chris Philpott put a 30 yard field goal through the uprights to make it 7-3 with 13:35 to go in the first half.
It was after this that Hilton physically took over, scoring two touchdowns on consecutive FIU drives. The first one, a crossing pass from quarterback Wesley Carroll that he took 74 yards to the house and the second, a deep 83 yard pass.
FIU’s defense gave up their first touchdown of the year off a late 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michaelee Harris with 41 seconds left in the first half to make the score 21-10 going into halftime.
The defense kept holding the Cardinals at bay throughout the second half of action, leading Cristobal to take a more conservative approach with the lead. Despite running the ball 26 times, they were only able to gather 66 yards as a team. Carroll also had an impressive night, throwing for 248 yards on 14-21 completions.
The Cardinals made one last ditch effort to come back when they scored a touchdown late in the game and tried an onside kick that went unsuccessful for them. They forced the Panthers into a 3 and out but with just over a minute left in the game, and the ball near their own end zone, the defense made one last stop to conceal the win.
This is without a doubt a huge win for the program, and this sets up an even bigger Sept. 15 opportunity when they take on University of Central Florida at home at 6:00 p.m.
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