ORLANDO – The 73rd annual Citrus Bowl kicks off tomorrow between the No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats (9-3, 5-3 SEC) and the No. 12 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-3, 6-3 Big 10).
The Wildcats are coming into this game on a two-game winning streak and the Nittany Lions on a three-game streak. The Wildcats are 4-3 in their last seven games, while Penn State is 5-2.
Both teams are looking to extend these streaks and end their respective seasons with historic marks. The Wildcats are looking to improve upon their best regular season record in 41 years, while a win for the Nittany Lions would give them their third straight 10-win season, something that hasn’t been accomplished since 1980-1982.
The Wildcats are led by the legs of All-SEC first team running back Benny Snell Jr., who was second in the SEC this year with 1,305 rushing yards and was tied for second with rushing touchdowns (14).
“I have been enjoying every moment I can with my teammates, with my coaches,” Snell said. “I’m excited for the game as well.”
Helping Snell on the offensive end is offensive guard Bunchy Stallings. The 6-3, 305-pounder was also named to the All-SEC first team.
Leading the Wildcats on the defensive side of the ball is linebacker Josh Allen, who won not only the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award but also the Bednarik and Nagurski awards for best defensive player in all of college football. Allen had 84 combined tackles this season, along with a team-leading 14 total sacks.
Allen and his defense have a tough task ahead of them though, as they are going up against Penn State’s all-time passing leader in yards and touchdowns.
In his final career game, senior Quarterback Trace McSorley looks to improve upon his stats of 2,284 passing yards along with 16 passing touchdowns.
Helping out McSorley on the offensive side of the ball is teammate and fellow All-Big 10 second team selection/running back Miles Sanders. Saunders is “pretty confident” and “satisfied” with what he did this season.
What he did this season was rush for nine touchdowns this year with an average of 5.9 yards a carry. He is also is second in the Big 10 in rushing yards (1,223).
Penn State leads Kentucky in multiple offensive categories such as points per game (34.6-26.6), rushing yards per game (208.6 to 201.3), and passing yards per game (215.8 to 164.8).
But on the other side of the ball, the Kentucky defense reigns supreme to Penn State. The Wildcats allow less points per game (16.3-20), rushing yards per game (150.8 to 168.4), and passing yards per game (181.3 to 186.5).
The kickoff from Camping World Stadium is set for Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 1:00 p.m. EST.
