Detroit– The game telecast got moved from ESPN2 to ESPN because of the NFL cancellation. The snow in Philly did that game in. The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl benefited. Many more people watched and the tight battle held the audience. The game may turn out to be the best Bowl game of the season. The viewing numbers were way up on the East Coast as folks were a captive audience from the snow storm.
David Scrivano and Ken Hoffman of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl present the trophy to
Mario Chistobal and the winiing Florida International players at Ford Field in Detroit.
Florida International won on the last play. Jack Griffin kicked a 34 yard field goal with time expired for the win. FIU wins 34-32 over Toledo. The Toledo players were stunned. At the two minute mark they had the game won.
T.Y. Hilton’s decision to go to FIU instead of West Virginia is looking pretty good right now. Quarterback Wes Carroll orchestrated the winning drive and the 20 yard pass to Greg Ellingson in the last minute set up the win. Three FIU interceptions in the second half was the real key though. Golden Panthers Head Coach, Mario Cristobal said, “That was our team, we play a full game. I am so proud of these guys.”
Toledo had the game. It was a heartbreaking loss. They had just taken the lead with a gutsy two point pass conversion. Eric Page made it look simple for the Rockets. When Toledo kicked off it was a mistake. The short pooch kick to keep the ball away from Hilton gave FIU great field position.
Toledo Head Coach, Tim Beckman said after the game, “Any game hurts when you lose, the team put their heart and soul on the line.”
The Panthers didn’t get to celebrate very long, as the team showered and left Detroit for Miami on their charter flight.
Big Caylin Hauptmann stayed behind to visit with his parents from Los Angeles. He got all the attention from the other FIU parents at the Downtown Detroit Doubletree Hotel. He handled it very well. Hauptmann stated what he remembered from the LCPB Christmas Eve luncheon. “I remember what Coach Perles told us at the lunch, I am soaking it all in,” he said smiling.
The Motor City Hotel, one of the team hotels had televisions inside the elevators. There was a constant loop of Little Caesars Pizza Bowl video highlights shown.
The Pizza Party before the game at adjacent Comerica Park was well received by the college students. Before departing, Christobal praised the hospitality of Detroit and said that his team really enjoyed the opportunity to play at Ford Field. It was the first Bowl game for FIU.