FIU's T.Y. Hilton Shines For Colts In Playoffs
INDIANAPOLIS (CBSMiami) – A few years ago, a wide receiver from Florida International made waves by tearing through the Louisville Cardinals defense en route to a career season for the Panthers.
He was overlooked until the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and Monday, a lot of personnel people look very dumb for passing him over.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton made the Kansas City Chiefs defense look like a bad college defense throughout Saturday's wildcard game. Hilton put together not only one of the best games of his career, but also one of the best games any receiver has ever had in the NFL postseason.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck targeted Hilton early and often en route to the FIU product catching 13 passes for 224 yards against Kansas City. Hilton's catches were tied for second most in postseason history and his receiving yards were tied for third most in NFL postseason history.
Hilton's performance isn't a surprise to most FIU fans who remember his seven catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns against Louisville in 2011 that helped lead the Panthers to an upset victory.
The Colts drafted Hilton in the third round of the 2012 Draft, the same draft the team took franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. Hilton was paired with former University of Miami star Reggie Wayne and both excelled in Indianapolis.
Hilton finished 2012 with 50 catches for 861 yards and seven touchdowns. After Wayne was lost for the season, Hilton ascended into a number one receiver role and flourished this season. He finished the regular season with 82 catches for 1,083 yards and five touchdowns.
The combination of Luck and Hilton looks like the second coming of Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison/Reggie Wayne for the Colts. Indianapolis will take on the New England Patriots this Saturday in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.