Florida 21, Penn State 6
Fred Taylor established career highs of 43 carries and 234 yards and Jacquez Green hauled in two touchdown receptions as Florida shut down Penn State, 21-6, in the Citrus Bowl at Orlando, Florida.
Recap | Game Summary
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The game was to showcase two future NFL backs and two of the nation's top receivers going head-to-head. But because of suspensions, Penn State will be without two of its major offensive weapons.
The Nittany Lions will play without running back Curtis Enis (1,363 yards, 19 TDs) and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius (39 catches, 817 yards, 10 TDs). Enis was ruled ineligible after accepting a suit from an agent and Jurevicius was suspended for academic reasons by Paterno.
Florida, however, will have its full complement of backs and receivers. Fred Taylor (1,292 yards, 13 TDs) will shoulder the rushing load, while first-team All-American Jacquez Green (1,024 yards receiving, 9 TDs) will be the favorite target of the Gators' two-headed QB tandem of Doug Johnson and Noah Brindise.
Johnson and Brindise accounted for 27 TD passes combined, while Penn State QB Mike McQueary has 17 TDs all by himself.
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When Penn State has lost, it's lost bad, by a combined 61 points in losses to Michigan and Michigan State. When Florida's lost, it's lost the ball - a combined nine turnovers in losses to Georgia and Louisiana State. Look out for Gators freshman RB Daymon Carroll, whom Spurrier lured away from Pennsylvania. Carroll averages 34.0 yards on kickoff returns -- which would lead the nation if he had more attempts - including a 94-yard touchdown.
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Florida's run defense is second in the nation, allowing 70.7 yards per game, while Penn State's is ranked 81st, though the Nittany Lions have faced some of the nation's top backs in the Big Ten.
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