Jack Griffin’s 34-yard field goal as time expired lifted Florida International to a thrilling 34-32 win over Toledo in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit Sunday.

The Golden Panthers (7-6), making their first-ever bowl appearance, converted 4th-and-17 on a hook-and-ladder to set up the game-winning kick.

Toledo (8-5) grabbed a 32-31 lead with 1:14 left on Terrance Owens’ 2-point conversion pass to Eric Page. Owens had run for a 14-yard score to pull the Rockets within one, and Rockets coach Tim Beckman opted to go for the win. Page caught a dart over the middle.

But the Rockets left too much time.

T.Y. Hilton barely got the first down on the hook-and-ladder, capping a great game by the Sun Belt Player of the Year. He returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, sparking FIU’s comeback from a 24-7 deficit in the third quarter, and caught a 10-yard scoring pass in the fourth.

Toledo lost despite 193 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Adonis Thomas. FIU's Darriet Perry ran for 132 yards and two scores.

This was the third straight season the teams met. FIU won 35-16 in 2008, and Toledo prevailed 41-31 last season.