Michigan Wolverines roll over Florida Gators 41-7 in Citrus Bowl

ORLANDO, Fla. — Two resurgent football teams were scheduled to meet at the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, but only one showed up.

No. 14 Michigan completed its one-season turnaround under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, routing the No. 19 Florida Gators 41-7 behind 278 passing yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Jake Rudock.

Michigan finished the season with a 10-3 record, wiping out the stinging memory of the 42-13 loss to Ohio State in the 2015 regular season finale. More importantly, the program distanced itself from three seasons (2012-2014) in which former coach Brady Hoke went 20-18.

Running back De'Veon Smith had 111 yards on 25 carries for Michigan.

The Wolverines' defense, absent for much of the first half, totally dominated the Gators (10-4) over the final two periods. Michigan limited Florida to one first down and 28 yards total offense in the second half.

The Gators head back into the repair shop to fix some problems that many of its followers thought were solved in coach Jim McElwain's first season.

Florida was routed for the third straight time and all phases of the game contributed.

The offense picked up 245 yards in the first half, but just 28 in the second. Gators quarterback Treon Harris was 1-for-6 in the second half for seven yards. He finished the game 8-for-21 for 146 yards and one interception.

The Gators' defense gave up 503 yards total offense.

Michigan did it without All-American safety/returner Jabrill Peppers, who missed the game with a hand injury, but the notion that this would be a defensive battle was dispelled immediately.

Michigan scored on its first possession and Florida could have matched it. The Wolverines rolled up 233 yards total offense in the first half against the sixth-ranked defense in FBS and the Gators totaled 245 yards against the No. 4-rated defense in the country.

Michigan scored on a 4-yard run by Drake Johnson and 31-yard pass from Rudock to Jehu Chesson. The Wolverines were equally effective at running (117 yards) and passing (116).

Florida botched a fake field-goal attempt on its first possession, but eventually scored on a trick play. Wide receiver Antonio Callaway lateraled a 2-yard scoring pass to Harris to complete a 75-yard drive that tied the game at 7.

That was as close as the Gators would ever get.