Entering Saturday night it had been six years since FIU had been bowl-eligible. The Panthers weren't going to let two yards against UTSA deny a chance to return to the postseason.

FIU was nursing a tenuous seven-point lead with less than eight minutes to play when the Panthers defense was faced with UTSA having first-and-goal from the FIU 2.

On the next four plays the FIU defense did not allow a single yard.

When FIU safeties Bryce Canady and Tyree Johnson stuffed UTSA running back Jalen Rhodes for a one-yard loss on fourth down the Panthers sideline erupted as the defensive stand spurred FIU to a 14-7 win over UTSA.

The victory made FIU (6-2, 4-1 Conference USA) bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011. The last time FIU played in a bowl game was against Marshall at the 2011 Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl. The Panthers also remained one game behind Florida Atlantic (5-0 C-USA) in C-USA's East Division.

"Quite a night to say the least," said FIU coach Butch Davis. "How proud I am of these kids every single week. Things aren't always easy for us. One thing we can count on each week is the guts and determination and the willingness to pay the price every night."

For more than the first 30 minutes of Saturday's game, the Panthers and the Roadrunners (5-3, 2-3 C-USA) were locked in a defensive struggle. UTSA entered play with the No. 11 defense in the NCAA allowing less than 300 yards per game. The FIU defense matched its opponent.

The Panthers defense allowed just 83 total yards in the first half and limited UTSA to 1 of 6 on third down conversions. For the game, FIU held UTSA to its season-low in yardage. The Roadrunners had 261 total yards.

"On D we pride ourselves in coming up big on third down and fourth down so we did a good job tonight," said FIU linebacker Treyvon Williams. "I was happy for everyone. Everyone feels great. It was a total team effort, from the strength staff to the coaches to the equipment, it feels great. We are going to use our 24 hours to enjoy the win. We're not working just to be bowl-eligible. We are going to work to win all of the rest of the games."

Williams led FIU with 13 tackles. Anthony Wint had 12 stops. The Panthers recorded 5.5 sacks led by Newt Salisbury's 2.5 sacks.

Early in the third quarter FIU broke the scoreless game by scoring two touchdowns in 13 seconds.

FIU meticulously marched 93 yards for its first score. Freshman running back D'Vonte Price had a 16-yard run on the drive and quarterback Alex McGough found Tony Gaiter for 23 yards to the UTSA 17. McGough capped the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Owens.

It was Owens's 21^st career receiving touchdown leaving him one shy of Cory McKinney for second all-time in FIU history. FIU's all-time leading receiver T.Y. Hilton holds the record with 24 touchdowns.

Owens had eight catches for 72 yards, snapping his string of four consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

Thirteen seconds after Owens's touchdown, FIU scored again.

UTSA kick returner Brett Winnegan fumbled the kickoff when Fred Russ popped the ball out. Shermarke Spence recovered at the Roadrunners 18. On the next play, McGough connected with Shawndarrius Phillips for an 18-yard touchdown. FIU led 14-0 with 3:27 left in the third quarter.

UTSA cut the FIU lead in half early in the fourth quarter when Dalton Sturm hit Brady Jones with a 12-yard touchdown pass.

After a McGough interception on the next FIU possession, the Roadrunners went 67 yards to the FIU 2 before the Panthers decisive goal line stand.

FIU is home again next Saturday when Old Dominion comes to Riccardo Silva Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.