2011 Outback Bowl

The 2011 Outback Bowl, a college football bowl game, matched the Florida Gators football team|Florida Gators] of the Southeastern Conference against the 2010 [Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State Nittany Lions] of the Big Ten. The 25th edition of the Outback Bowl, it was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game kicked off at 1 p.m. EST on January 1, 2011, and was telecast on ABC. The Florida Gators won with a final score of 37–24.

Teams

Florida

The Gators also entered the bowl with an identical 7–5 record to their opponents. This was set to be head coach Urban Meyer's final game at Florida as he retired for health reasons. The offense especially sputtered toward season's end, turning the ball over six times and averaging 251.0 yards in Florida's last two games against FBS opponents, losses to South Carolina and Florida State by a combined 67–21. Florida was without starters cornerback Janoris Jenkins, right tackle Maurice Hurt, defensive tackles Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders who had surgeries.

Penn State

The Nittany Lions entered the contest with a 7–5 record in coach Joe Paterno's 45th year at the helm. Paterno looked to add to his record 24 postseason victories. Penn State, finished ninth in the Big Ten in points per game. Freshman Rob Bolden threw five touchdowns in seven games before being replaced by sophomore Matt McGloin, who tossed 13 TDs the rest of the way. The Nittany Lions had played in three previous Outback Bowls having won all of them. They attempted to be the first team in bowl history with 4 Outback Bowl victories.

Game summary

Scoring summary

First Quarter

9:08 PSU TD Matt McGloin passed to Derek Moye to the left for 5-yard gain 7–0 PSU

Second Quarter

13:00 FLA TD Omarius Hines rushed to the left for 16-yard gain 7–7 tied
6:58 FLA TD Florida blocked punt attempt by Anthony Fera. Lerentee McCray returned for 27 yards 14–7 FLA
4:15 PSU TD Michael Zordich rushed up the middle for 1-yard gain 14–14 tied
0:49 PSU FG Collin Wagner kicked a 20-yard field goal 17–14 PSU

Third Quarter

9:13 FLA FG Chas Henry kicked a 30-yard field goal 17–17 tied
4:50 PSU TD Matthew McGloin rushed to the right for 2-yard gain 24–17 PSU
2:50 FLA FG Chas Henry kicked a 47-yard field goal 24–20 PSU

Fourth Quarter

13:10 FLA TD Mike Gillislee rushed to the left for 1-yard gain 27–24 FLA
7:36 FLA FG Chas Henry kicked a 20-yard field goal 30–24 FLA
1:11 FLA TD Ahmad Black intercepted Matthew McGloin for 80 yards 37–24 FLA

Statistics

Florida

QB Jordan Reed, 8/13, 60 yds, 24 rush, 68 yds
QB John Brantley, 6/13, 41 yds, 1 Int
RB Mike Gillislee, 4 rush, 10 yds, 1 TD
WR Chris Rainey, 6 rush, 66 yds, 3 rec, 18 yds
WR Omarius Hines, 2 rush, 31 yds, 1 TD, 2 rec, 27 yds
S Ahmad Black, 2 Int, 129 yds, 1 TD

Penn State

QB Matthew McGloin, 17/41, 211 yds, 2 TD, 5 Int
RB Evan Royster, 20 rush, 98 yds, 4 rec, 51 yds
FB Michael Zordich, 3 rush, 5 yds, 1 TD
WR Derek Moye, 5 rec, 79 yds, 1 TD