Outback Bowl worked hard to secure a "classic matchup" in Florida-Penn State
Monday, December 6, 2010 | Football, Men's Swimming & Diving, Scott Carter
By SCOTT CARTER/GatorZone.com Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jim McVay sounded like someone who received an early Christmas present on Sunday.
McVay, president/CEO of the Outback Bowl, can't think of a better game than Florida and Penn State to celebrate the Outback Bowl's 25th anniversary on New Year's Day.
“We think it's a classic matchup,'' McVay said. “When you talk about tradition and history of college football, it just doesn't get any better than Penn State and the University of Florida.''
The Gators appeared headed for the Gator Bowl early last week, but the Outback Bowl came on strong in the end to secure the third all-time meeting between the schools. The game will be broadcast on ABC at 1 p.m. on Jan. 1 from Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.
The Gators (7-5) are 2-0 all time against Penn State (7-5), defeating the Nittany Lions in the 1962 Gators Bowl, 17-7, and 21-6 in the Citrus Bowl to conclude the 1997 season.
Florida will make its fourth trip to the Outback Bowl and first since the 2005 season, Urban Meyer's first season leading the program. The Gators beat Iowa that year in the Outback Bowl, 31-24, to finish 9-3 in Meyer's first season.
Meyer has never faced Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, major college football's all-time winningest coach.
“I have fond memories of my first bowl game at Florida in the 2006 Outback game,'' Meyer said. “I remember the great job that Jim McVay and his staff did in hosting our football team. I want to thank Jim and the Outback Bowl Committee for inviting us back.
“We look forward to facing Penn State and one of the true legends in the game in Coach Joe Paterno. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Paterno and I will be honored to have the opportunity to coach in the same game as him.”
The Outback Bowl trip is considered one of the best in the SEC bowl rotation and a good way for the Gators to wrap up their season. The Gators are 4-1 all-time in bowl games under Meyer, including two BCS national championship wins.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a football team, while having a week of hospitality in the great Gator city of Tampa,'' Meyer said.
Florida is 17-19 all-time in bowls and 1-2 record in the Outback Bowl. The Gators played in back-to-back Outback Bowls in 2002 and 2003.
“We are excited to hear that we are going to the Outback Bowl and play in another New Year's Day game,” Meyer added. “We are proud of our history of playing in January Bowl games – not everyone gets to enjoy that experience. We've been fortunate around here to be in a bowl game for 20 consecutive years and I've told our players and staff to not take that for granted.''
The Outback also strongly considered SEC teams Mississippi State and South Carolina but preferred the UF-Penn State clash more than any other potential matchup.
Florida and Penn State rank among the nation's top 10-winningest programs since Meyer arrived at Florida. The Gators are 64-15 over that span, and Penn State is 58-18.
Penn State is playing in the Outback Bowl for the fourth time as well, winning its previous three visits to Tampa. Overall, this is the 37th bowl game for Paterno, who has won more bowl games (24) than any coach in history. Paterno is in his 45th season and turns 84 on Dec. 21.
“This team has worked hard all season and has been a great group to work with,'' Paterno told Penn State's official website. “I'm happy for the squad that their efforts will be rewarded with an opportunity to go to the Outback Bowl, where we have had some wonderful experiences.''
Florida and Penn State had one common opponent this season in Alabama. The Nittany Lions lost at Bryant-Denny Stadium, 24-3, on Sept. 11, and the Gators suffered a 31-6 loss in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 2.
