Penn State to face Georgia in TaxSlayer Bowl on January 2

Franklin went 2-1 against Georgia when with the Commodores. Sony Michel, however, did turn in a 1,000-yard season on the ground in his place. Florida State kicked a field goal with 15 seconds left to force a 17-17 tie in a game that Penn State led 17-0 at halftime. Georgia is hot heading into the bowl game though, winning four-straight games.

ATHENS–The Georgia football team will return to Jacksonville to play in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Saturday, January 2, with a Noon kickoff against Penn State from the Big Ten. Subsequently, the Bulldogs fired head coach Mark Richt following the season, replacing him Sunday with former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who agreed to a six-year deal worth $3.75 million per season, according to published reports. The Lions won 27-23 to capture the national championship.

This will be Georgia’s 51st bowl game-sixth most of any team in the country.

Penn State’s (7-5) James Franklin will address reporters Sunday evening to discuss the bowl selection and among the topics will be who will call plays for Penn State.

Last season the Lions defeated Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. As it is, it generates just a little fear that we’ll give that blowhard Franklin something to crow about for the first time in years. Previously known as the Gator Bowl, the TaxSlayer Bowl’s name shouldn’t scare away fans because the two teams being matched up will provide a solid game for spectators.

But since then, Penn State has only appeared once in one of the nation’s oldest bowl games – a 20-9 loss to Notre Dame in the 1976 contest. The Bulldogs had to deal with an injury this year to running back Nick Chubb but were still able to finish with a 9-3 record. Famed Pittston Area grad Jimmy Cefalo earned MVP honors for Penn State.