The Michigan Wolverines put on a show at the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, blowing out the struggling Florida Gators with an impressive offensive display.
Florida Gators fans have gotten used to seeing their offense struggle since November this season. What Gators fans did not expect to see in Orlando was for their defense to struggle as well.
The Gators were no match for the Michigan Wolverines as the Wolverines scored the last 34 points of the game to cruise to a 41-7 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 63,113 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Friday, the largest crowd since the stadium’s renovation.
The Wolverines took command in the third quarter outgaining the Gators 160 to 2 in total yards while outscoring them 14-0 in to go from a 17-7 to 31-7 lead.
“I would say this was the best game we have played all year,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen our offense play better. Our defense was magnificent. . . . The three and outs, the stops, the play on third down, everybody playing great team defense. It was really good.”
Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock was the game’s MVP throwing for 278 yards and three touchdowns against one of the best secondaries in college football. Rudock gave credit to his coaching staff for a great game plan.
Rudock credited the coaching staff’s game plan and scouting efforts with putting him and his teammates in great situations.
“We understood how they played — they play fast and they play physical,” Rudock said. “I had an easy job. I just had to get it out there to them.”
The loss is the third in a row for the Gators who finish the season at 10-4 under coach Jim McElwain.
“They took it to us,” McElwain said afterward. “I’m disappointed. We’re all disappointed. You have to learn from disappointment.”
The Gators’ last three games were ugly losses. It started with a 27-2 loss at home against Florida State, 29-15 to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and now 41-7 to Michigan in Orlando.
The Gators offense got off to a good start moving the ball on the first two possessions of the game going for a combined 130 total yards. The only touchdown they would have came on the second possession on a trick play where Gators quarterback Treon Harris caught the touchdown pass from Antonio Callaway who got the ball on a reverse play.
The Gators could not do anything from that point on as they were shutout the rest of the way.
Perhaps the Gators’ first possession should have given us the sign for what kind of day it would be. The Gators marched 55 yards in 12 plays before a drive stalled at the Michigan 20.
On 4th-and-7 walk-on placekicker Neil MacInnes, forced into action after Austin Hardin was injured during Thursday’s walk-through, lined up to attempt a field goal. Instead, holder Johnny Townsend attempted a shovel pass on the fake kick. The ball was intercepted by Michigan’s Channing Stribling.
There will be many questions around the Gators program between now and the season opener for the 2016 season. Many will center around the offense and who will be the starting quarterback.
More than likely McElwain will have a new starting quarterback in either redshirt junior Luke Del Rio who sat out this year after transferring from Oregon State or Wakula High School star quarterback Feleipe Franks who is committed to Florida.
The Gators will also have a new starting running back as Kelvin Taylor declared for the NFL Draft.
Still first year with Jim McElwain, who was the first Gators coach to win 10 games in his first season and led the Gators to an SEC East title, the first since 2009, was a smashing success.
For Michigan, the first year with Jim Harbaugh was also a success, as evidenced by the bowl win.
The Wolverines will have to replace 11 seniors and have to go to Ohio State and Michigan State next season in the Big Ten. Michigan is scheduled to host UCF in week two of the season on September 10.
