2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (December)

The 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game played on December 31, 2016, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The 72nd edition of the Gator Bowl featured the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the Atlantic Coast Conference against the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference. It began at 11 AM EST and aired on ESPN. It was one of the 2016–17 bowl games concluding the 2016 FBS football season. The game's naming rights sponsor was tax preparation software company TaxSlayer.com,[3] and for sponsorship reasons was officially known as the TaxSlayer Bowl.

2016 TaxSlayer Bowl
72nd Gator Bowl
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Kentucky Wildcats
(8–4) (7–5)
ACC SEC
33 18
Head coach: 
Paul Johnson		 Head coach: 
Mark Stoops
1234 Total
Georgia Tech 1010310 33
Kentucky 03015 18
DateDecember 31, 2016
Season2016
StadiumEverBank Field
LocationJacksonville, Florida
MVPDedrick Mills (RB, Georgia Tech) & Stephen Johnson II (QB, Kentucky)
FavoriteGeorgia Tech by 4[1]
RefereeReggie Smith (Big XII)
Attendance43,102
PayoutUS$2,750,000[2]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersMark Jones (play-by-play)
Rod Gilmore (color)
Quint Kessenich (sidelines)

Teams
The 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl was played at EverBank Field

This was the 20th overall meeting between the two teams, with Georgia Tech holding an 11–7–1 series lead coming into the game. The previous time the two teams met was in 1960, when both teams were members of the Southeastern Conference. In that game, Georgia Tech beat Kentucky 23–13.[4]

Georgia Tech
See also: 2016 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team and 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference football season

Georgia Tech was led by head coach Paul Johnson. The Yellow Jackets began the season 3–0, before losing three games in a row to become 3–3 halfway through the season. Georgia Tech went 5–1 the second half of the season, ending their regular season in a 28–27 victory over their rivals Georgia.

Heading into the game, the Yellow Jackets ranked 69th in the nation in scoring (27.8) and 82nd in yards per game (388.6). Georgia Tech utilized a run-heavy offense, averaging 257.4 rushing yards per game (10th in the nation) and only 131.2 passing yards per game (123rd in the nation).[4] The team's offense was led by redshirt senior quarterback Justin Thomas, who threw for 1,454 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 562 yards and five touchdowns.[5] Georgia Tech's leading rusher of Marcus Marshall, who led the team with 624 yards.[6] Marshall transferred after Tech's regular season finale, however, and did not play in the TaxSlayer Bowl.[7]

On defense, Georgia Tech was ranked 47th in the nation in scoring defense (25) and 63rd in yards allowed per game (408.1). The Yellow Jacket's run defense was ranked 64th in the nation, while the pass defense was ranked 73rd.[4] The team's defense was led by defensive back Corey Griffin, who led the team with 79 tackles. Griffin also had a sack, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.[8]

This was Georgia Tech's eighth appearance in the TaxSlayer Bowl / Gator Bowl; in their prior appearances they were 3–4. This was also the Yellow Jackets' first bowl game since the 2014 Orange Bowl.

Kentucky
See also: 2016 Kentucky Wildcats football team and 2016 Southeastern Conference football season

Kentucky was led by head coach Mark Stoops. The Wildcats began the season 0–2 before going 5–1 in their next 6 games. They then lost back-to-back games against Georgia and Tennessee before winning their final two games of the regular season, ending the regular season in a 41–38 victory over their rivals Louisville.

Heading into the game, Kentucky was ranked 54th in the nation in scoring (31.0) and 57th in total yards (428.3). Like Georgia Tech, the Wildcats utilized a run-heavy offense, ranking 16th in the nation in rushing offense (241.3) but only 106th in passing offense (187.0).[4] The offense was led by running backs Stanley Williams and Benny Snell Jr., who both rushed for over 1,000 yards and combined for 20 rushing touchdowns on the season.[5][8]

On defense, Kentucky was ranked 87th in the nation in scoring defense (31.2) and 88th in yards allowed per game (435.9). The Wildcats' defense struggled especially against the run, possessing the 108th ranked rushing defense and allowing an average of 225 rushing yards per game.[4]

This was Kentucky's first bowl game since the 2011 BBVA Compass Bowl, and was their first appearance in the TaxSlayer Bowl / Gator Bowl.

Game summary

First quarter

Kentucky received the opening kickoff. On the fourth play of the game, Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson fumbled the ball after being sacked by Georgia Tech's Patrick Gamble. Another Yellow Jackets player, P.J. Davis, recovered the fumble and returned the ball 38-yards for a touchdown, giving Georgia Tech a 7–0 lead. The following Kentucky drive stalled, giving the Yellow Jackets the ball back. On the ensuing Yellow Jackets drive, head coaches Paul Johnson and Mark Stoops got in a shouting match over Tech's blocking tactics after Kentucky players were injured on back-to-back plays. Georgia Tech was able to drive to Kentucky's red zone, but were stopped at the 5-yard line. A 23-yard Harrison Butker field goal made the score 10–0. Kentucky was in possession of the ball going into the second quarter.[7][9][10]

Second quarter

Kentucky put its first points on the board with a 37-yard field goal, making it a 10–3 game. After forcing Georgia Tech to punt, Kentucky drove down to Georgia Tech's 5-yard line. Facing a 4th and 1 situation, Kentucky decided to go for it instead of kicking a field goal. Running back Jojo Kemp was unable to get convert, however, giving the ball back to Georgia Tech at the 6-yard line.[7][9]

On the ensuing Yellow Jackets possession, Georgia Tech ran three consecutive running plays but were unable to get a first down. Facing a 4th and 1 situation at their own 15-yard line, Georgia Tech decided to go for it instead of punting the ball away. Georgia Tech's gamble paid off as they were able to gain a first down on a 3-yard run from Dedrick Mills.[11] Georgia Tech went up 17–3 with 49 seconds in the half on a 21-yard touchdown run from Justin Thomas.[7][9]

After blocking a Kentucky punt, Georgia Tech received the ball back at Kentucky's 44-yard line with 20 seconds remaining in the half. On a 4th and 10 situation, Thomas completed a 10-yard pass to Brad Stewart to Kentucky's 34-yard line to set up a 52-yard field goal attempt. Harrison Butker was able to make the field as time expired in the half, giving Georgia Tech a 20–3 lead going into halftime.[7][9]

Third quarter

Georgia Tech received the kickoff in the second half, but were unable to drive past their 42-yard line, forcing the Yellow Jackets to punt. Kentucky blocked Georgia Tech's punt, giving Kentucky the ball at Georgia Tech's 28-yard line. Kentucky was unable to capitalize on the blocked punt, as a personal foul penalty pushed Kentucky back to Georgia Tech's 43-yard line. After being unable to convert for a first down, Kentucky punted the ball back to Georgia Tech. After exchanging punts, Georgia Tech went up 23–3 on a 44-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. Kentucky was in possession of the ball going into the fourth quarter.[7][9]

Fourth quarter

Kentucky scored its first touchdown of the game on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Stephen Johnson to Dorian Baker, making it a 23–10 game. Georgia Tech responded with a 12 play, 68 yard drive that took 7:27 off the clock. Georgia Tech drove to Kentucky's 5-yard line, but on a 3rd and goal situation, Georgia Tech's Qua Searcy was stopped for a 3-yard loss. Harrison Butker made a 26-yard field goal to make it a 26–10 game. Kentucky responded with a 21-yard touchdown run from Stephen Johnson, making it a 26–18 game after a successful two-point conversion with 3:57 remaining in the game.[7][9]

Georgia Tech recovered the ensuing onside kick at their own 42-yard line. The Yellow Jackets then ran two consecutive run plays which took only a few seconds off the clock due to Kentucky using a couple of timeouts. Facing a 3rd and 4 situation, Justin Thomas completed a 42-yard pass to Ricky Jeune, giving the Yellow Jackets a first down at Kentucky's goal line. Georgia Tech score three plays later 3-yard touchdown run from Dedrick Mills, giving Georgia Tech a 33–18 lead. The following Kentucky drive ended on downs, giving Georgia Tech the victory.[7][9]

Scoring summary
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP GT UK
1 13:10 GT Fumble recovery returned 38 yards for touchdown by P.J. Davis, Harrison Butker kick good 7 0
1 3:30 12 75 6:23 GT 23-yard field goal by Harrison Butker 10 0
2 11:36 14 56 6:54 UK 37-yard field goal by Austin MacGinnis 10 3
2 0:49 11 94 4:29 GT Justin Thomas 21-yard touchdown run, Harrison Butker kick good 17 3
2 0:00 5 10 0:24 GT 52-yard field goal by Harrison Butker 20 3
3 2:15 8 18 3:37 GT 44-yard field goal by Harrison Butker 23 3
4 13:40 12 75 3:35 UK Dorian Baker 20-yard touchdown reception from Stephen Johson, Austin MacGinnis kick good 23 10
4 6:13 12 68 7:27 GT 26-yard field goal by Harrison Butker 26 10
4 3:57 9 75 2:16 UK Stephen Johnson 21-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good (Stephen Johnson to C.J. Conrad) 26 18
4 2:18 6 58 1:39 GT Dedrick Mills 3-yard touchdown run, Harrison Butker kick good 33 18
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 33 18

Statistics
Statistics[12]GTUK
First Downs2120
Plays-yards65–37170–324
Third down efficiency5–136–16
Rushes-yards51–26636–149
Passing yards105175
Passing, Comp-Att-Int6–14–019–34–0
Time of Possession32:2227:38
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
GTPassingJustin Thomas6/14, 105 yds
RushingDedrick Mills31 car, 169 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingRicky Jeune3 rec, 59 yds
UKPassingStephen Johnson19/34, 175 yds
RushingStephen Johnson14 car, 49 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingDorian Baker2 rec, 38 yds, 1 TD

Georgia Tech B-back Dedrick Mills was named the game's most valuable player. Mills rushed for a team-leading 169 yards on 31 carries, along with 1 rushing touchdown.[12][13]

Georgia Tech outgained Kentucky in total yardage 371–324. Kentucky committed 1 turnover while Georgia Tech committed none. The Yellow Jackets were more efficient on third down conversions, converting 5 out of 13 attempts compared to Kentucky's 6 out of 16 attempts. Georgia Tech also converted both of its fourth down attempts, while Kentucky converted 2 out of 4 attempts.[12]

Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas completed 6 out of his 14 pass attempts for 105 yards and no touchdowns. Thomas was also Tech's second leading rusher, rushing for 42 yards on 9 attempts. The Yellow Jacket's leading receiver was Ricky Jeune, catching 3 passes for 59 yards.[14]

Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson completed 19 out of his 34 pass attempts for 175 yards and 1 touchdown. Johnson also was Kentucky's leading rusher, rushing for 49 yards and 1 touchdown.[14] Running backs Stanley Williams and Benny Snell Jr., who had both rushed for over 1,000 yards in the regular season, were held to only 69 combined rushing yards in the game.[10] Dorian Baker was Kentucky's leading receiver, catching 2 passes for 38 yards and 1 touchdown.[14]

gollark: > how much is that timeMonths, I think?
gollark: SSDs do apparently lose data if you leave them unplugged for large amounts of time.
gollark: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory#Principles_of_operation (apparently it's weird transistors, not capacitors)
gollark: They use flash storage, which... has electrons stored in tiny capacitor things where the charge persists for ages, or something.
gollark: There's a new ATX12VO standard which drops everything but 12V because it's not used much, apparently.

References
  1. "College Bowl Game Odds". ESPN. December 7, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  2. Bowl payout
  3. "TaxSlayer Bowl". Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  4. Smits, Garry. TaxSlayer Bowl preview. Jacksonville.com. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  5. Ching, David. Fortuna, Matt. TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Kentucky Wildcats. ESPN.com. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. Shanker, Jared. RB Marcus Marshall says he'll transfer from Georgia Tech. ESPN.com. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  7. Georgia Tech tops Kentucky 33–18 in TaxSlayer. Associated Press. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky: How to watch, live stream, game time for the TaxSlayer Bowl. NCAA.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  9. Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky play-by-play. ESPN.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  10. Ching, David. Georgia Tech survives Kentucky comeback bid in chippy TaxSlayer Bowl. ESPN.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  11. Johnson, Richard. Georgia Tech went for it on 4th down from its own 16-yard line, and it led to a TD. sbnation.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky – Statistic. ESPN.com. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  13. Sugiura, Ken. Monster game for Dedrick Mills, game MVP. AJC.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  14. Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky. ESPN.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
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