Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Jack Griffin kicked a 34-yard field goal on the final play, capping FIU's first postseason game with a thrilling 34-32 win over Toledo at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Terrance Owens scored on a 14-yard run with 1:14 left in the game, and his two-point conversion pass to Eric Page boosted Toledo to a 32-31 lead.
FIU faced a 4th-and-17 from its 41, but ran a hook-and-ladder play with Jacob Younger lateraling to T.Y. Hilton for a first down. Hilton tight-roped along the right sideline, but a video review call confirmed Hilton held the ball barely across the marker.
A 20-yard pass from Wesley Carroll to Greg Ellingson and a five-yard run by Darriet Perry set up Griffin's perfect kick.
In just their sixth season playing in the Football Bowl Series division, the Golden Panthers (7-6) got a big boost from their defense and special teams. Hilton returned a kickoff 89 yards for a score. Kreg Brown had a pair of interceptions and Wayne Times blocked a punt leading to Griffin's 31-yard field goal late in the final quarter.
The Rockets (8-5), in their first bowl game since 2005, blew a 17-point lead.