Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida Gators Football 2016

In the fall of 2014, Nussmeier went head-to-head against the Wolverines’ defense every day in practice as Michigan’s offensive coordinator.

The Wolverines’ running backs ran for 226 yards on 46 carries against Florida’s usually impressive defensive front, while Florida quarterback Treon Harris and his offense couldn’t score points against Michigan’s defense.

Florida players, from left, offensive lineman Antonio Riles (51), offensive lineman Trip Thurman (63) and defensive lineman Bryan Cox (94) leave the field after losing to MI 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando, Fla.

Jim McElwain (Florida) and Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) have done more than what was expected in their first seasons, and these two coaches will meet on New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl. “There’s a lot of stereotypes out there and I guess we’ll have to prove them wrong”. The future first-round NFL Draft pick, in my opinion, will have to have a big game in order for the Gators to have a shot. The offense scored on seven of their first eight possessions. However, Ruddock suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the end of the season finale against Ohio State, and it is yet to be seen how this will hamper Ruddock, if at all, against the Gators.

“It was a case of getting your rump kicked in”. The Wolverines’ 41 points were the most given up by the Gators under first-year head coach Jim McElwain.

“Really took it to us on both sides of the ball”.

MI (10-3) had three touchdown drives of at least 70 yards and finished with 503 yards of offense against a Florida defense that entered the game ranked sixth nationally. And that MI defense was weakened without Jabrill Peppers, who didn’t play because of an injured hand. And they didn’t. The Wolverines thoroughly overwhelmed the Gators in the second half, holding them to only 28 total yards. “I think we’ve talked about this all season, the game is defined by your front guys. I’m just so thankful and grateful we were able to get there as a team”.

He acknowledged there might have been some complacently after the Gators clinched the SEC East Division title that might have carried over down the stretch. It’s big for us to go out on the winning note to send those seniors and juniors that are leaving early on a good note.

“The expectation is you can never take your foot off the gas pedal”, McElwain said.

“I thought long and hard before I made that statement”, Harbaugh said after the win.

Florida’s Demarcus Robinson, right, celebrates with Treon Harris (3) after the latter scored a touchdown against MI. The Gators amassed 195 yards on 32 plays before Harris’ turnover in the end zone; after it, they recorded 78 on 20 plays.

MI took a 17-7 lead into halftime thanks largely to the efficiency of the Wolverines’ passing attack. MI busted open a 7-7 game with 34 unanswered points helped by three Jake Rudock touchdown passes, two Kenny Allen field goals, and a two-yard run from Sione Houma scoring run. Chesson used a double move, initially faking an inside slant, to strand and separate from star cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.