Gator defense outshines Gator offense, stymies Lions

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Although the Florida offense received most of the press prior to the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl against Penn State, it was the Gator defense that ultimately provided the press necessary for a convincing 21-6 Florida victory.

Led by cornerback Fred Weary, who was voted the Gators' most valuable player on defense following the game, Florida limited the punchless Nittany Lion offense to just 139 total yards in the game.

"The defense really stepped it up and played super to hold Penn State without a touchdown," Florida coach Steve Spurrier said.

But the Florida defense had been playing "super" all season.

Nonetheless, many Florida players felt the Lions did not respect their defensive prowess.

"You heard them talking all week and at their pep rally about how they thought they could get it in," Florida linebacker Jevon Kearse said.

When the Lions had a pair of prime opportunities to "get it in," however, the Gator defense became impenetrable.

Midway through the second quarter, with Florida leading 14-3, Penn State middle linebacker Brandon Short knifed into the backfield and hammered quarterback Doug Johnson, forcing him to fumble the ball. Short eventually fell on the loose ball to set up a first-and-goal situation from the Florida six-yard line.

Penn State managed to drive to the half-yard line in three plays. On fourth down, Lion quarterback Mike McQueary handed the ball to running back Chris Eberly.

Although the Lions were in position for a quarterback sneak, left tackle Mike Moten said the play-calling did not surprise him.

"Their philosophy is to run the ball," Moten said. "It's smashmouth football. We just needed penetration."

And penetration is what they received as left end Tim Beauchamp met Eberly at the line of scrimmage and drove him to the ground.

The second opportunity came on Penn State's next offensive possession as Kenny Watson returned a Gator punt 52 yards to the Florida five. It would've been a touchdown, but Watson was caught from behind by Kearse.

"Jevon can do those kind of things," Stoops said. "He just has to reach out with one of those arms and that covers 10 yards. He'll snatch a guy up. Jevon can run and he has a great wing span to catch somebody."

Despite Kearse's stop, the Lion offense was once again in great position to score a touchdown.

This time, Penn State moved within a yard of the end zone before faltering. On fourth-and-one McQueary rolled to the right and floated a pass toward tight end Cuncho Brown. It never made it to Brown, though, as Gator free safety Mike Harris stepped up to make the interception.

Once again, the Penn State play-calling did not surprise the Gators.

"Because they couldn't get in on the last goal line stand, we figured they'd try to boot the ball," Stoops said. "Mike did a great job of seeing the tight end release and just stood underneath him when he saw the quarterback going to him."

With two misfires from point-blank range, Penn State threatened just once more in the game ( a third-quarter drive that stalled at the Florida 13 and resulted in a Travis Forney field goal.

"Obviously," Spurrier said, "the goal line stands were really maybe the turning point of the whole game.

"We set them up with the punt return to about the six and the fumble at the five or six. It was just outstanding goal line defense."