Recap: Florida Intl vs. Arkansas State
Sports Network | November 08, 2008
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Wide out T.Y. Hilton threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Junior Mertile with 2:04 remaining, lifting the Florida International Golden Panthers past the Arkansas State Red Wolves, 22-21,in a Sun Belt Conference tilt at FIU Stadium.
Hilton also pulled down six balls for 199 yards, as FIU (4-5, 3-2 SBC) snapped a two-game slide. Quarterback Paul McCall hit on 15-of-33 tosses for 321 yards, while Dustin Rivest made five of his seven field goal attempts.
Corey Leonard led the way for ASU (4-5, 2-2) with 149 yards and a score through the air and 55 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Reggie Arnold went for 113 yards on 22 carries, as the Red Wolves suffered a third straight loss.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Rivest gave FIU a 6-0 lead with a 43 and 32-yard field goal in the second period.
ASU, though, took a 7-6 lead to the break behind a one-yard touchdown run by Leonard late in the frame.
Rivest put the Panthers back on top with a 43-yard boot early in the third quarter.
Leonard answered with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Catlin, giving the Red Wolves a 14-9 lead midway through the period.
The Panthers made it a 14-12 game, courtesy of a 35-yard field goal by Rivest.
The Red Wolves pushed their lead to 21-12 behind a Derek Lawson 12-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Just over two minutes later, Rivest drilled a 37-yard field goal for the Panthers, setting up the game-winning scoring strike from Hilton to Mertile late in the game.
FIU outgained ASU, 407-371, in total yards, but the Red Wolves held a 222-48 advantage on the ground.
