The source of Florida International's best hope for beating MTSU will be on the field Saturday.
Wide receiver/kicker returner T.Y. Hilton, an explosive sophomore, will play at MTSU despite a nagging knee injury, according to FIU coach Mario Cristobal.
Hilton, a Miami native, burst onto the scene last season as one of the nation's most dynamic freshmen. He earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, freshman All-American honors as a returner and all-purpose performer and ranked third nationally in all-purpose yards behind Missouri's Jeremy Maclin and California's Jahvid Best.
But since injuring his right knee returning the opening kickoff against Western Kentucky a month ago, Hilton has seen his playing time and production drastically drop.
Hilton gained 729 all-purpose yards and scored five TDs in the first four games of the season, but he has only 10 receptions for 99 yards and no TDs in the four games since his injury.
In FIU's 20-17 overtime win over Lousiana-Lafayette last week, Hilton played only one play, the opening kickoff of the second half. But Cristobal said Hilton has been cleared to play against MTSU.
"Looking at him this past week we wanted to hold him out so he would be ready this week," Cristobal said. "The (team) doctor and T.Y. both feel good that he will be good to go this week, and we feel confident in that. He's practicing and ready to go."
Hilton had 248 all-purpose yards as a returner, runner and receiver in FIU's 31-21 win over MTSU last season. His 63-yard TD catch and 40-yard kick return that set up another score proved pivotal in FIU's win.
"(Hilton) is a very explosive player. He's very dangerous with the ball in his hands," MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. "He ran back a kick for a touchdown against Alabama (this season). He had a big game against us last year. He had a big game against a lot of people last year."
Hilton's return is a welcomed dose of good news for FIU, which has lost seven starters to season-ending injuries this season. As a result, 16 true freshmen have played for the Golden Panthers, who carry a 2-6 overall record and 2-3 Sun Belt mark.
"We've had to play those freshmen because of injuries, and it has helped us develop some of our new guys," Cristobal said. "It's been a great lesson to our team because we've asked the next man to step up on several occasions.
"It's definitely changed the meter of a guy who thought he was going to have time to sit and wait. At the end of day, I think it helps your team grow quicker, but there are some growing pains that go with it."
Wide receiver/kicker returner T.Y. Hilton, an explosive sophomore, will play at MTSU despite a nagging knee injury, according to FIU coach Mario Cristobal.
Hilton, a Miami native, burst onto the scene last season as one of the nation's most dynamic freshmen. He earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, freshman All-American honors as a returner and all-purpose performer and ranked third nationally in all-purpose yards behind Missouri's Jeremy Maclin and California's Jahvid Best.
But since injuring his right knee returning the opening kickoff against Western Kentucky a month ago, Hilton has seen his playing time and production drastically drop.
Hilton gained 729 all-purpose yards and scored five TDs in the first four games of the season, but he has only 10 receptions for 99 yards and no TDs in the four games since his injury.
In FIU's 20-17 overtime win over Lousiana-Lafayette last week, Hilton played only one play, the opening kickoff of the second half. But Cristobal said Hilton has been cleared to play against MTSU.
"Looking at him this past week we wanted to hold him out so he would be ready this week," Cristobal said. "The (team) doctor and T.Y. both feel good that he will be good to go this week, and we feel confident in that. He's practicing and ready to go."
Hilton had 248 all-purpose yards as a returner, runner and receiver in FIU's 31-21 win over MTSU last season. His 63-yard TD catch and 40-yard kick return that set up another score proved pivotal in FIU's win.
"(Hilton) is a very explosive player. He's very dangerous with the ball in his hands," MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. "He ran back a kick for a touchdown against Alabama (this season). He had a big game against us last year. He had a big game against a lot of people last year."
Hilton's return is a welcomed dose of good news for FIU, which has lost seven starters to season-ending injuries this season. As a result, 16 true freshmen have played for the Golden Panthers, who carry a 2-6 overall record and 2-3 Sun Belt mark.
"We've had to play those freshmen because of injuries, and it has helped us develop some of our new guys," Cristobal said. "It's been a great lesson to our team because we've asked the next man to step up on several occasions.
"It's definitely changed the meter of a guy who thought he was going to have time to sit and wait. At the end of day, I think it helps your team grow quicker, but there are some growing pains that go with it."
