Box Score MIAMI - It was a record-setting day at FIU Stadium Saturday night as the Golden Panthers closed out their 2008 season with a 27-3 win over Western Kentucky. In the process, FIU wide receiver T.Y. Hilton became the school's first 1,000-yard receiver, QB Paul McCall set the school record for touchdown passes in a season and CB Anthony Gaitor tied a school record with his fifth interception of the season which he returned 78 yards for a touchdown to seal the game for FIU.
The Golden Panthers end the year with a 5-7 record, arguably the biggest turnaround in NCAA history from a year ago when the team won one game.
“We are excited to win a football game and take another step as a team,” FIU head coach Mario Cristobal said. “This is a program that had every possible obstacle the last couple of years and to be one win away from a bowl game, the strides are enormous.”
A week after giving up 57 points, FIU's defense stood strong Saturday night only allowing the Hilltoppers 180 total yards of offense and a season-low three points.
Hilton got the Golden Panthers on the board at the end of the first half. His three-yard run gave FIU a 7-3 lead. It was Hilton's second rushing touchdown of the year and his 12th touchdown of the season (7 receiving, two rushing, one punt return, one kickoff return, one pass). FIU took the 7-3 lead into halftime.
The Golden Panthers offense took over in the second half. McCall finished the game with 292 yards on 20-34 throwing and a touchdown. His touchdown pass came in the fourth on a three-yard pass to Jason Frierson to give FIU a commanding 20-3 lead.
“We decided we were going to change things around this season,” Hilton said. “We came out and played well.”
Late in the fourth quarter with the game already in hand, McCall hit Hilton with a three-yard pass to give Hilton 44 yards receiving on the day and 1,013 on the season.
