Observations on the Citrus Bowl win over Florida, 41-7
Michigan scored 34 points on 7 red zone trips including 3 points off 2 Gator turnovers. Florida only gained 7 points in two red zone trips in the first half.
Jake Rudock was 20 of 31 for 278 yards and 3 TDs connecting with 8 different receivers. DeVeon Smith gained 109 yards in 25 carries. Drake Johnson gained 58 yards in 6 carries for a TD, and caught 2 passes for 10 yards and another TD. Sione Houma had 9 carries for 32 yards and a TD. Jehu Chesson had 5 catches for 118 yards including a 31 yard TD plus a 45 yard bomb. Grant Perry caught 5 passes for 51 yards including his first Wolverine TD. Jake Butt caught 3 passes for 34 yards. Overall, Michigan gained 28 first downs, 503 net yards, and was 9 of 12 on 3rd down conversions. Our dominance in the second half resulted in a nearly 17 minute time of possession advantage which gave the Wolverines 25 more offensive plays, 31 more in the second half.
Defense gave up 262 net yards and 14 first downs, only one in the second half with a total of 7 successful 3rd and 4th down conversions in 15 attempts. Coach Mattison adjusted well with a great second half game plan. Treon Harris was 8 of 21 for 146 yards plus ran 11 times for 56 yards; he did not complete a second half pass, and was sacked twice while throwing two interceptions. Kelvin Taylor ran 10 times for 38 yards as the Gators only managed 107 yards on the ground. Antonio Callaway caught 5 passes for 75 yards. Channing Stribling replaced Jabrill Peppers, and was challenged to cover Callaway; however, he did get an interception, and also had a first half pass break up. Callaway threw a 2 yard TD pass on a reverse to Harris for the Gator's only score. Jarrod Wilson also stopped a Gator red zone try with an interception. Royce Jenkins-Stone was credited with one sack on a Harris intentional grounding call; Chris Wormley also gained a sack. Joe Bolden led the defense with 7 tackles.
Kenny Allen hit both his field goal attempts, and nailed a 57 yard punt in his only attempt; he also had 8 kickoffs for a 64.1 yard average including one touchback. Florida messed up on a fake field goal and a fake punt, and the Gators punted 4 times. Callaway had a 37 yarder on a kickoff, but that was their only decent special teams play as we dominated in all three phases of action.
What a HUGE difference one season has made under Coach Harbaugh! We will be challenging in 2016 for the Big Ten and National Championship! Go Blue!