College Football

2020 Vrbo Citrus Bowl: Alabama Resurges with a Vengeance After Early Michigan Lead

Published

7 years ago

January 1, 2020

Alabama's Najee Harris (#22) jumps over defense to get the touchdown in the second quarter during the 2020 Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Photo: Willie David / Florida National News.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) wasted no time showing Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines (9-3) why he’s a 4-time national champion during the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium Wednesday.

FIRST QUARTER

While Michigan got first play and Giles Jackson made an impressive 50-yard return with precision rushing, Michigan couldn’t capitalize on that first drive. On Alabama’s turn, not only did they get the first touchdown in the first quarter on the first day of the New Year, but made a historic first while they were at it. Mac Jones launched an 85-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy for the score, the longest pass in Citrus Bowl history. After Joseph Bulovas’s solid extra point, the score was 7-0, Alabama.

At 7:06 in the first, Michigan clapped back with seven plays over 85 yards, closing the deal with Shea Patterson’s slick 7-yard pass to Nick Eubanks off to the left, who scrambled into the corner of the end zone. After the extra point, both teams tied at 7.

Michigan got a near-miss with 4:35 left in the first: Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore sacked Michigan’s Patterson, causing a fumble, which Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and the drive continued with a second down, even after play review. To close out the drive, and with nine seconds left in the first, kicker Quinn Nordin nailed the 36-yard field goal, lifting Michigan to a 10-7 score.

SECOND QUARTER

During Michigan’s scoring series in the second quarter, wide receiver Ronnie Bell completed Shea Patterson’s 8-yard pass, but was flagged for illegal touching due to going out of bounds then coming back in to make the catch, costing them a down. Michigan made that fourth down count, though, with Nordin kicking a successful 42-yard field goal, widening Michigan’s lead to 13-7.

With just over three minutes left in the first half, Alabama’s Najee Harris rushed for 9 yards for the next touchdown, flipping over Michigan’s Josh Metellus to get there, causing Alabama to jump one point over Michigan 14-13. This was Harris’s seventh straight rushing touchdown.

In the final two seconds–yes, two seconds–of the first half, Michigan kicker Quinn Nordin closed out the half and sent the audience roaring by making history in his own right, kicking his first-ever 57-yard field goal…and nailing it. Barely. His was the longest field goal in Citrus Bowl history and matched Michigan’s current record for longest field goal.

At halftime, Michigan was 3 of 8 in third down conversions to Alabama’s 0 of 3. However, Alabama packed a greater punch in yards: While Michigan boasted 286 yards in 45 plays in the first half, Alabama clocked 205 yards in only 23 plays. Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was 8 of 13 in passing for a total of 145 yards while Michigan’s Shea Patterson was 9 of 18 for 151.

THIRD QUARTER

Third quarter began with a bang. Alabama’s Mac Jones threw a 42-yard touchdown bomb to DeVonta Smith, who was able to catch it, despite being covered. After the extra kick, Alabama’s lead stretched to 21-16.

With 9:30 left in the third quarter, Mac Jones’s pass to Henry Ruggs III was incomplete, and because of Ruggs’ double coverage, he tumbled and rolled several times, ultimately having to be walked off the field.

Scoring momentum slowed after that point, due to both teams’ defensive lines rising up to stop the run and more incomplete passes.

Total penalties up to the end of the third quarter: Michigan had 7 for a loss of 61 yards to Alabama’s 5 for a loss of 25 yards.

FOURTH QUARTER

Alabama widened the lead again in the fourth with ten minutes left. Mac Jones, with the help of Jerry Jeudy’s 14- and 58-yard completed passes on first and second downs, nailed a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Miller Forristall. After the extra point, Alabama towered over Michigan 28-16.

Najee Harris was Alabama’s man for the rest of the game, rushing a total of 70 yards over the course of Alabama’s final scoring drive (12 plays) to get the last touchdown of the game and put the nail in Michigan’s coffin with the final 35-16 score.

__________________________________________

Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com

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Central Florida News

USF Defeats UAB 30–10, Secures Fourth Consecutive Bowl-Eligible Season

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

C.J. Hicks (#1) USF defensive end lines up before the snap during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory over UAB at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.

Defense Turns the Game Around

UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.

Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.

Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.

Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.

South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.

Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum

Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.

Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.

Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.

Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.

Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone

With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.

The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.

The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.

Looking Ahead

USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.

Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Central Florida News

USF Comes Up Short at UTSA as Late Touchdown Seals 31-24 Loss

Published

4 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — USF running back D.J. Crowther (5) crosses the goal line on a 15-yard touchdown run to open the scoring against UTSA Thursday night at the Alamodome. Photo by Stephen Galvin / University of South Florida Athletics.

South Florida held an early advantage and reclaimed the lead late, but UTSA’s second-half execution proved to be the difference Thursday night at the Alamodome.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida gave itself a chance to steal a road win Thursday night, but UTSA answered when it mattered most, defeating the Bulls 31-24 at the Alamodome.

USF struck first behind D.J. Crowther, who broke through for a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Bulls an early advantage. Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. helped keep South Florida’s offense moving throughout the night as the Bulls continued to respond whenever UTSA threatened to take control.

USF stayed within reach from start to finish, but the second half belonged to a UTSA offense that consistently found a way to finish drives.

UTSA Finds Its Rhythm

Running back A’Marion Peterson became the difference-maker for the Roadrunners, finishing with 92 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

UTSA scored on every second-half possession, gradually shifting momentum away from a USF team that continued to battle offensively. The Roadrunners leaned heavily on their ground game while keeping the Bulls from building any sustained separation.

(more…)

Central Florida News

Temple Hands USF First Loss, 17-13

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

Cameron Seldon races toward the sideline as Temple defenders force him out of bounds. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Bulls move to 4-1 as Hartline turns attention toward corrections and the week ahead

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida’s unbeaten start ended Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium as Temple defeated the Bulls 17-13. USF struck first behind a Nico Gramatica field goal but went into halftime trailing 10-3 before finding momentum after the break.

USF responded in the third quarter as D.J. Crowther’s one-yard touchdown tied the game at 10.

USF and Temple battle at the line of scrimmage. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

The Bulls’ defense added a key stop when No. 1 C.J. Hicks recovered a Temple fumble in the end zone. Gramatica later connected from 49 yards to give USF a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead. Temple answered with the defining possession of the night, driving 96 yards before quarterback No. 13 Ajani Sheppard scored on a 34-yard run to put the Owls ahead for good.

Temple’s 96-yard fourth-quarter drive became the turning point in the 17-13 finish.

Joshua Porter sprints for catch with Adrian Laing closing in for Temple. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

USF was unable to answer late, dropping to 4-1. Following the game, head coach Brian Hartline focused on returning to the film, correcting the mistakes that surfaced and making sure the Bulls use the loss to improve heading into the next week.

FINAL: Temple 17, USF 13

Up Next: USF travels to San Antonio to face UTSA on Thursday night.