Wolverines dominate Gators in Citrus Bowl, 41-7

De’Veon Smith finished with over 100 rushing yards for MI, while Florida’s leading rusher was Harris, who had 55 yards on the ground.

Friday’s Citrus Bowl was a manifestation of all of the work that was put in throughout the season and everything finally materialized into what Michigan Football is expected to be. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen our offense play better”. McElwain led the Gators to an appearance in the Southeastern Conference title game in his first season in Gainesville and his hoping to give Florida consecutive victories for the first time since 2012. The Gators started three freshmen on the offensive line.

It was a decent showing by the Gators in the first half. Gators quarterback Treon Harris was 1 of 6 in the second half for 7 yards. NOOOOOBODY! This team had the crowd yelling all game long – ‘It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine, ‘ was being chanted at the end of the game as the Michigan Wolverines romp the Florida Gators, 41-7. UF coach Jim McElwain said following the game. “They did a pretty darned good job”. “I’m just really excited about what we were able to do”.

While Michigan’s stifling defensive performance was no surprise, one of the best defenses in America going up a Florida offense that failed to score much as the season wound down, the sensational performance of Rudock and the Michigan offense was unexpected going up against a Florida team that also boasted one of the country’s best defenses this season.

Michigan’s domination was two-fold: Its defense limited Florida in every facet of its offensive game plan.

Rudock finishes his year at MI with 3,017 passing yards, and is the second MI quarterback to reach that mark, joining John Navarre, who had 3,331 passing yards in 2003.

Florida is not exactly a world beater just yet, but to beat teams from the SEC, you need to play a physical, punishing brand of football and the Wolverines did just that on Friday. And that MI defense was weakened without Jabrill Peppers, who didn’t play because of an injured hand.

Ultimately, I expect this to be a low scoring defensive battle.

A quick preview and prediction of a New Year’s Day matchup between MI and Florida, along with information on how to watch and live stream the game. While Michigan’s fourth-ranked defense smothered the overmatched Florida offense and didn’t allow a point in the game’s final three quarters, fifth-year senior Jake Rudock, in his final collegiate game, turned in another solid performance, carving up the Gators for 278 yards and three touchdowns. The Wolverines were equally effective at running (117 yards) and passing (116). Florida drove 48 yards in 5 plays to the Wolverines’ 22-yard line. On the season Ruddock has completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,739 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. That was as close as the Gators came.

MI had the ball at the Florida 31 with the score tied at 7 in the second quarter.

For the first time in years, fans are pleased with their teams records, and the bowl games they’re competing. Just before the half ended, Kenny Allen cashed in on a 21-yard field goal to travel into the locker room with a 10-point cushion.