Watch CBS News

T.Y. Hilton's Heisman Pursuit Gaining Steam

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – It's not often that a player from the Sun Belt Conference is mentioned in the same breath as the Heisman Trophy. Then again, it's not often a Sun Belt Conference team has a player as special as FIU's T.Y. Hilton.

The speedy receiver lit up the Louisville Cardinals with a school record 201 receiving yards to help lead the Panthers to its first victory ever over a BCS conference opponent. At the end of the game, Hilton had a total of 268 all-purpose yards, with 67 yards on kick returns.

Though the school is only through two games this season, Hilton has ascended to some special company in college football.

Hilton is tied for third in the country in receiving yards, ahead of such stars as Ryan Broyles of Oklahoma and Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State, according to CFBStats.com. Hilton has 333 receiving yards for the season and is averaging nearly 24 yards every time he receives a pass.

T.Y. is also ranked fourth in the nation in kickoff return average for the season. He's averaging nearly 40 yards per return, which is making FIU quarterback Wesley Carroll's a lot easier.

Overall, Hilton is number two in the country in all purpose yards, averaging 276 yards per game, according to CFBStats.com. For the season, Hilton has a total of 551 all purpose yards.

His breakout performance against the Cardinals opened the door for him to ascend high into the Heisman Trophy discussion. If FIU can upset UCF at FIU Stadium this weekend with Hilton having a big game, the sky's the limit for the Golden Panthers speedster.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.