1996 Florida Citrus Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl
was a college football
bowl game
featuring the Ohio State Buckeyes
of the Big Ten
, against the Tennessee Volunteers
of the SEC
. The Buckeyes were sparked by their senior Heisman Trophy
winner running back
Eddie George
. The Vols were led by sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning
. Both teams entered the game with losses to rival teams.
The Buckeyes started of the season with a surprising win over the Notre Dame. However the media buzz around the Big Ten surrounded the Northwestern Wildcats
who earned their way to an unbeaten conference run. Because the Buckeyes held the tiebreaker over the Wildcats, the only thing between the Buckeyes invitation in to the Rose Bowl
and a possible National Championship was their rival the Michigan Wolverines
. However, running back Tim Biakabutuka
led the Wolverines to a 20-14 upset, sending the 'Cats to the Rose Bowl.
Tennessee started off the season with victories over East Carolina
and Georgia, before heading off to Gainesville to play the rival Gators. The Vols held a 30–21 halftime lead only to be outscored 41–7 in the second half, suffering a 62–37 defeat. However, the team would go on to win their remaining 8 regular season games, including a 41–14 win over Alabama
. The Vols ended the season ranked third.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
was a college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
featuring the Ohio State Buckeyes
1995 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1995 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1995-1996. The Buckeyes compiled a 11–2 record, including the in Orlando, Florida, where they lost 20–14 to the Tennessee Volunteers.-Schedule:-Coaching staff:* John...
of the Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, against the Tennessee Volunteers
1995 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 1995 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. Sophomore Peyton Manning was a member of the team...
of the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The Buckeyes were sparked by their senior Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Eddie George
Eddie George
Edward Nathan "Eddie" George, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He played for the Tennessee Titans both in Tennessee and in Houston when the franchise was known as the Houston Oilers, and spent his final season with the Dallas Cowboys...
. The Vols were led by sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
. Both teams entered the game with losses to rival teams.
The Buckeyes started of the season with a surprising win over the Notre Dame. However the media buzz around the Big Ten surrounded the Northwestern Wildcats
1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season.-Season:...
who earned their way to an unbeaten conference run. Because the Buckeyes held the tiebreaker over the Wildcats, the only thing between the Buckeyes invitation in to the Rose Bowl
1996 Rose Bowl
The 1996 Rose Bowl was the 82nd Rose Bowl Game. It was the 50th game in the series featuring the Big Ten Conference and the Pacific-10 Conference. The USC Trojans defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 41-32 on the strength of two touchdown passes from USC QB Brad Otton to WR Keyshawn Johnson...
and a possible National Championship was their rival the Michigan Wolverines
1995 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1995 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1995 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr...
. However, running back Tim Biakabutuka
Tim Biakabutuka
Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka is a former American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL from 1996 to 2001.-College career at Michigan:...
led the Wolverines to a 20-14 upset, sending the 'Cats to the Rose Bowl.
Tennessee started off the season with victories over East Carolina
1995 East Carolina Pirates football team
The 1995 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 1995 college football season. The Pirates offense scored 274 points while the defense allowed 226 points. Led by head coach Steve Logan, the Pirates won the 1995 Liberty Bowl....
and Georgia, before heading off to Gainesville to play the rival Gators. The Vols held a 30–21 halftime lead only to be outscored 41–7 in the second half, suffering a 62–37 defeat. However, the team would go on to win their remaining 8 regular season games, including a 41–14 win over Alabama
1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1995–96 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. The team played their home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in...
. The Vols ended the season ranked third.
Scoring summary
First quarter- Ohio State - Eddie GeorgeEddie GeorgeEdward Nathan "Eddie" George, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He played for the Tennessee Titans both in Tennessee and in Houston when the franchise was known as the Houston Oilers, and spent his final season with the Dallas Cowboys...
2 yard run (Josh Jackson kick) - OSU 7, Tenn 0
Second quarter
- Tennessee - Graham 69 yard run (Hall kick) - Tenn 7, OSU 7
Third quarter
- Tennessee - Kent 47 yard pass from Peyton ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
(Hall kick) - Tenn 14, OSU 7
Fourth quarter
- Ohio State - Rickey DudleyRickey DudleyRickey Deshun Dudley , is a former professional American football player. A 6'6", 252-lb. tight end from Ohio State University, Dudley was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 1st round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
32 yard pass from Bobby Hoying (Jackson kick) - Tenn 14, OSU 14 - Tennessee - Hall 29 yard Field goal - Tenn 17, OSU 14
- Tennessee - Hall 25 yard Field goal - Tenn 20, OSU 14