NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Florida International University (FIU) Panthers emerged as the winners of the fifth edition of the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday, scoring a hard-fought 35-32 win over the University of Toledo Rockets.
Anthony Jones tied a school record with three scores in the win for FIU and was named Player of the Game.
“I’m extremely happy for my teammates, these seniors, all my coaches, the support staff at FIU, they were all behind me the whole time,” Jones said after the game. “I’ve been extremely blessed by the man above.”
Christian Alexander completed 17 of 26 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown for FIU, while Eli Peters had three touchdown passes and threw for 264 yards for Toledo.
“It’s been an up and down year,” Toledo coach Jason Candle said. “It has had its highlights, and its moments where we weren’t so good. Consistency is everything in college football.”
Toledo held a 14-10 lead at the half, but the Panthers took the lead in the third quarter on a score by Jones. FIU remained in control the remainder of the way.
The Bahamas game marked FIU’s second bowl victory. The other came in 2010, also against Toledo.
