Florida Gators vs Ohio State Buckeyes Match Player Stats On Jan 02, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Jan 2, 2012

Two special-teams touchdowns vaulted Florida to a 24-17 victory over Ohio State in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Gators (7-6) broke a 7-7 tie on Andre Debose’s 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown four minutes into the second quarter. Leading 14-10 at halftime, the Gators pushed their advantage to 21-10 on Chris Rainey’s blocked punt, returned by Graham Stewart 14 yards a touchdown four minutes into the third quarter.

Florida scored first on John Brantley’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Deonte Thompson with 56 seconds left in the first quarter. The Buckeyes (6-7) answered with Braxton Miller’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Devier Posey with 11:25 left before halftime, tying the game at 7-7.

The tie lasted just 12 seconds, as Debose broke loose on the ensuing kickoff for a Gator Bowl record 99-yard touchdown return down the left sideline.

Brantley finished 12-for-16 for 132 yards for the Gators, who won three of their final five after a four-game midseason losing streak. Rainey finished with 71 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards, and returned one punt for 31 yards.

Miller passed for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 18-for-24 passing for the Buckeyes, who ended the season on a four-game losing streak. Miller threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Hall with 57 seconds left to bring the Buckeyes within 24-17, but Florida recovered the onside kick.

Former Florida head coach Urban Meyer will take over the Ohio State program next season. Five years ago, Meyer coached the Gators past the Buckeyes in the BCS National Championship game.