MI vs. Florida: Citrus Bowl Recap, Score, Key Stats

Featuring two of the country’s best defensive units, the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines (9-3) and No. 19 Florida Gators (10-3) clash in the New Year’s Day’s Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida after almost taking down their respective conferences this season. After a run of mediocrity, however, Florida is just happy to be back on the New Year’s Day stage. Drake Johnson (213 yards) and Sione Houma (152 yards) may also see carries for the Wolverines. It’s not that Michigan’s defense needed help, though; it had been ranked in the top 15 in total defense for since 2012.

The Florida native who led St. Thomas Aquinas to a 5A state championship in 2010 in Orlando returned to throw for 278 yards and three touchdown passes, leading the 14th-ranked Michigan Wolverines to a 41-7 win in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against 19th-ranked Florida on Friday.

“I’d say this was the best game we played all year”, MI head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “And our defense was magnificent”. He plays safety on defense, and his raw athleticism allows him to make big plays (5.5 tackles for loss). “I think we had some guys satisfied when we first won the East. I think they’ve gotten a taste that now what you really have to do in preparation, in personal preparation, moving forward”.

In hindsight, the ups and downs throughout the year-the heartbreaking last-second loss to Michigan State and regular-season ending loss to Ohio State-made the team stronger.

Rudock credited the coaching staff’s game plan and scouting efforts with putting him and his teammates in optimum situations. “He’s going to give us a couple of shots, and when the plays come to us we have to make them”. “And I think the impressive thing about them is that when they’re playing, they’re playing as one”.

De’Veon Smith led MI (10-3) with 109 rushing yards.

Nussmeier said he has no hard feelings toward MI over getting let go after only one season.

“I’m just ready to finish with a bang”, he said.

Of the 273 yards the Florida offense was able to muster on the afternoon, 130 came on its first two drives. “End of discussion”, McElwain said.

The loss puts Florida at 10-4 on the year, something that many Florida fans will undoubtedly label as a success after the tumultuous tenure of former coach Will Muschamp. “They really took it to us on both sides of the ball”.

Florida quarterback Treon Harris had his moments early.

For those scoring at home, that would be an interception charged to punter Johnny Townsend on the half-hearted shovel pass attempt.

Treon Harris completed 51.9 percent of his passes in place of Grier with nine touchdowns and five picks, and he’s had some trouble outside the pocket with just 2.2 yards per carry while being sacked 29 times – roughly one for every 10 snaps he’s taken. Chesson used a double move, initially faking an inside slant, to strand and separate from star cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.

Florida, which didn’t score after tying the game at 7 on a trick play late in the first quarter, looked listless during much of the second half, as if its players were eager to get on the bus back to Gainesville. In order for Florida to win, the inefficiency by Harris is going to have to be masked a little with Taylor and talented but young receivers Antonio Callaway and Brandon Powell.