2018 Bahamas Bowl

2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
5th Bahamas Bowl
FIU Panthers Toledo Rockets
(8–4) (7–5)
C–USA MAC
35 32
Head coach: 
Butch Davis		 Head coach: 
Jason Candle
1234 Total
FIU 014714 35
Toledo 100715 32
DateDecember 21, 2018
Season2018
StadiumThomas Robinson Stadium
LocationNassau, Bahamas
MVPChristian Alexander (QB, FIU) &
Edwin Freeman (LB, FIU)
FavoriteToledo by 5.5[1]
RefereeMichael VanderVelde (MW)
Attendance13,510
PayoutUS$225,000 [2]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN and Gameday Radio
AnnouncersSteve Levy, Desmond Howard and Laura Rutledge (ESPN)
Kyle Wiggs and Rob Best (Gameday Radio)
Bahamas Bowl
 < 2017  2019 > 

The 2018 Bahamas Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 21, 2018.[3] It was the fifth edition of the Bahamas Bowl, and one of the 2018–19 bowl games concluding the 2018 FBS football season. Sponsored by Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the game was officially called the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.[4][5]

The game featured the FIU Panthers of Conference USA against the Toledo Rockets of the Mid-American Conference. The matchup was announced on November 25, 2018, making this the first bowl matchup of the season to have both teams confirmed.[6]

Teams

This was the fourth matchup between these two teams, with FIU holding a 2–1 lead in the series.[7] They met in the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, which FIU won, 34–32.

FIU Panthers

Main article: 2018 FIU Panthers football team

FIU accepted a bid to the Bahamas Bowl on November 25.[8] The Panthers entered the bowl with an 8–4 record (6–2 in conference). FIU's usual starting quarterback, James Morgan, was unavailable for the game due to a sore shoulder, resulting in backup Christian Alexander getting the start.[9]

Toledo Rockets

Main article: 2018 Toledo Rockets football team

Toledo accepted a bid to the Bahamas Bowl on November 25.[8] The Rockets entered the bowl with a 7–5 record (5–3 in conference).

Game summary

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP FIU TOL
1 14:37 2 3 0:23 TOL Bryant Koback 3-yard touchdown run, Jameson Vest kick good 0 7
1 0:11 12 52 5:10 TOL 28-yard field goal by Jameson Vest 0 10
2 12:44 8 75 2:27 FIU Anthony Jones 6-yard touchdown run, José Borregales kick good 7 10
2 2:57 7 96 3:21 FIU Sterling Palmer 36-yard touchdown reception from Christian Alexander, José Borregales kick good 14 10
3 10:35 8 75 4:25 TOL Jon'Vea Johnson 7-yard touchdown reception from Eli Peters, Jameson Vest kick good 14 17
3 3:47 8 80 4:16 FIU Anthony Jones 30-yard touchdown run, José Borregales kick good 21 17
4 11:12 9 88 5:17 FIU Maurice Alexander 16-yard touchdown run, José Borregales kick good 28 17
4 7:21 9 75 3:51 TOL Diontae Johnson 2-yard touchdown reception from Eli Peters, 2-point pass good (Eli Peters to Cody Thompson) 28 25
4 0:41 13 83 6:40 FIU Anthony Jones 18-yard touchdown run, José Borregales kick good 35 25
4 0:02 5 75 0:39 TOL Jon'Vea Johnson 43-yard touchdown reception from Eli Peters, Jameson Vest kick good 35 32
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 35 32

Statistics

1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 0 14 7 14 35
Rockets 10 0 7 15 32
Statistics FIU TOL
First downs 26 22
Plays–yards 64–459 70–388
Rushes–yards 43–236 27–124
Passing yards 223 264
Passing: comp–att–int 18–27–0 22–37–0
Time of possession 33:00 27:00
Team Category Player Statistics
FIU Passing Christian Alexander 17/26, 209 yds, 1 TD
Rushing Anthony Jones 15 car, 92 yds, 3 TD
Receiving Sterling Palmer 3 rec, 64 yds, 1 TD
Toledo Passing Eli Peters 22/37, 264 yds, 3 TD
Rushing Eli Peters 5 car, 43 yds
Receiving Diontae Johnson 6 rec, 98 yds, 1 TD

References

  1. ^ Fawkes, Ben (December 10, 2018). "Odds for every 2018-19 CFB bowl game". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Bowl Schedule". CFP.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "2018-19 College Football Playoff and bowl schedule". ESPN. May 2, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Kirshner, Alex (July 31, 2018). "I don't know how else to say this, but: Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is now the sponsor of the Bahamas Bowl". sbnation.com.
  5. ^ Keilman, John (December 18, 2018). "Elk Grove Village says $300K sponsorship of Bahamas Bowl has already paid off, though some residents are skeptical". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  6. ^ "Bahamas Bowl 2018, Toledo vs. FIU: Where, when, and team info". SB Nation. November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  7. ^ "FIU Golden Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets football series history games list". winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "FIU and Toledo Accept 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl Invitations". bahamasbowl.com (Press release). November 25, 2018.
  9. ^ Villa, Walter (December 20, 2018). "With James Morgan out, this quarterback will start Friday for the FIU Panthers". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 21, 2018.