ORLANDO — Florida’s defense has been its backbone all season.
It was the one aspect of the team that coach Jim McElwain could count on to show up consistently in every game.
However, in the Citrus Bowl against No. 14 Michigan, that wasn’t the case as UF's defense was taken apart by Wolverine quarterback Jake Rudock and Co., and the Wolverines beat the No. 19 Gators 41-7.
While many expected the game to be a defensive battle, Michigan (10-3) flipped the script. Both teams came into the game with top-10 total defenses, Florida with the No. 6 total defense, while the Wolverines had the No. 4 total defense.
But Michigan gashed the Gators’ defense to the tune of 503 yards — 225 rushing and 278 passing — which is the most yards Florida’s defense has given up all year.
A Michigan offense that entered the game No. 71 in the country in total offense made UF’s formidable defense look average, in what was the Gators’ worst bowl loss since Nebraska beat them 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl in 1995.
“We didn't play well today, and I've got to give Michigan all the credit in the world,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “They took it to us, beat us up front, did a great job in the red area, kept us off balance, and I think more than anything, played with a pad level.”
It wasn’t just that Michigan had more than 500 yards of total offense, it was the way the Wolverines did it. They bludgeoned the Gators (10-4) and were more physical up front and methodical in their drives.
Of the seven scoring drives Michigan had, six of them went for at least eight plays and three spanned 12 plays.
For a team that prides itself on defense, not being able to get critical stops when it needed, and virtually having no pass rush — the defense had zero sacks for just the second time this season — made it difficult for the Gators to do anything.
“They have a pretty good blocking scheme, credit coach Harbaugh. His offensive system is tremendous,” Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor said. “Just what they were doing up front … they had a pretty good scheme.”
While the defense put on its worst performance of the year, after the 26 day break after the Southeastern Conference title game, the offense looked improved with the long layoff, albeit for just the first quarter.
Treon Harris was able to move the ball in Florida’s first drive, highlighted by Antonio Callaway’s 26-yard reception.
However, the offense stalled and without starting kicker Austin Hardin, McElwain called a fake field goal that resulted in punter Johnny Townsend throwing an interception. Michigan capitalized on the ensuing drive when running back Drake Johnson scored a 4-yard touchdown.
“We probably should have just gone for it there rather than try the shovel pass,” McElwain said.
The Gators were able to tie the game at seven when Callaway threw a touchdown pass to Harris on a trick play.
However, once the first quarter was over, Harris reverted back to the form he has displayed since the Vanderbilt game on Nov. 7. The sophomore quarterback completed zero passes in the second half, finishing the game 8-of-21 for 146 yards and an interception.
“Treon missed a couple open guys and a couple double moves early,” McElwain said. “For the most part early in the game he looked comfortable and did a pretty good job. Coming out after half, that’s disappointing.
“We gave up a score and then a couple three-and-outs. At that point it makes it awful tough.”
After Callaway’s touchdown pass, Michigan took over, scoring 34 straight points.
Rudock — who was named the game’s MVP after completing 20-of-31 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns — was able to pick apart UF’s secondary.
Jehu Chesson, who finished the game with five receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, made All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III look lost on a double-move for a touchdown in the second quarter.
But even after being blown out by 34 points in the final game of the season McElwain was upbeat following the loss. He’s aware of how much he’s done in his first season at the helm of the program.
And now it’s time for him to turn the page to the offseason and begin fixing the problems his team has in order to improve next season.
“We've got a ways to go as I've said from the start. And yet, we're on our way to building something special,” McElwain said. “I'm really looking forward to hitting the offseason and really getting a full behind us as we know now the expectations.
“There's a lot we can learn from that game and we'll learn.”
Follow Luis Torres on Twitter @LFTorresIII
Michigan's Jarrod Wilson intercepts a pass from UF quarterback Treon Harris in the endzone during the Wolverines' 41-7 win against the Gators in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando.
