JONESBORO (11-3-2007) ? Kicker Josh Arauco's 32-yard field goal with two seconds remaining capped a wild fourth quarter, giving the Arkansas State Indians (4-5, 2-3) a 27-24 victory over the Florida International Golden Panthers (0-9, 0-4) Saturday afternoon in a Sun Belt Conference clash at Indian Stadium.

In addition to Arauco's field goal, ASU and FIU combined to score three touchdowns in the final 4:45, including two by Indian tailback Reggie Arnold, who finished the day with 120 yards rushing on 20 carries.  Arnold scored on a 16-yard run with 4:45 remaining to give the Tribe a 17-16 advantage, then padded the lead with 2:24 to play on a 31-yard scoring run that made it 24-16, ASU.

While Arauco and Arnold provided the fourth quarter points for Arkansas State, neither played a larger role in the victory than cornerback Darren Toney, who intercepted two passes on the day, returning one for a touchdown.  Toney also returned three kickoffs for 129 yards, including a 60-yard return that gave ASU the ball at the FIU 34, setting up Arauco's winning field goal after FIU scored a touchdown and converted the two-point try to tie the game at 24 with 48 seconds remaining.

“I thought Darren Toney carried our team on his back at times and made some huge plays for us with two interceptions and one for a touchdown,” said ASU Head Coach Steve Roberts.  “He had some huge returns for us as well.”

“The bottom line is it's a win,” added Roberts.  “We can't underestimate how important it is to win...we found a way to win, and had enough character and competitiveness to get it done.”

Arauco put the Indians on the scoreboard late in the first quarter with a 26-yard field goal that gave ASU a 3-0 lead.  The score capped a 69-yard drive that was highlighted by a pass from junior quarterback Travis Hewitt to wideout Levi Dejohnette on fourth and four from the Panther 40.  The play picked up seven yards and was part of an 18-play possession that used up 9:23 on the play clock.

Hewitt drew the start Saturday, replacing Corey Leonard, who missed the game with an injury after starting the first eight games of the season for the Tribe.  Hewitt completed 19-of-30 passes on the day for 174 yards, with no interceptions.

“I thought Travis had a very good ballgame,” said Roberts.  “He threw the ball very efficiently...the thing that I'm most pleased with is his competitiveness and not going out there and turning the ball over.”

The Golden Panthers took advantage of an Indian miscue with 10:10 remaining in the second quarter to pull within a point.  With ASU backed up at its one yard line, Hewitt and Arnold mishandled an exchange, and Hewitt fell on the fumble in the Arkansas State end zone to score the safety for FIU.

Florida International went on top when punt returner Lionell Singleton raced 80 yards down the left sideline with 2:50 remaining in the half for the 9-3 Panther lead.  After Toney returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Panther 35, ASU drove to the FIU 14 with less than a minute remaining in the half, but could not cash in as a 31-yard attempt by Arauco missed wide right.

FIU's halftime lead proved to be short-lived when Toney intercepted Panther quarterback Wayne Younger on the first possession of the second half and returned the pickoff 17 yards for the touchdown.  Arauco's extra point put the Tribe on top 10-9 with 14:02 remaining in the third.

Florida International went back on top 3:02 remaining in the third when Younger passed across the middle to receiver Jeremy Dickens for a 4-yard touchdown.  The score completed a 14-play 75-yard drive, with kicker Chris Abed's extra point giving the Golden Panthers a 16-10 lead.

The Indians began their rally with 7:02 remaining in the game, taking possession at the ASU 45 and capping the drive with Arnold's touchdown that put the Tribe on top 17-16.  Arnold's second touchdown stretched the Indian lead to 24-16 with 2:24 to play, but FIU answered with a 65-yard drive that tied the game at 24 when Younger hit wide receiver Greg Ellison on a 29-yard touchdown pass, then scrambled and found tight end Moses Hinton open in the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Toney's 60-yard kickoff return gave ASU the ball at the FIU 29, and six plays later, Arauco booted the field goal for the win.