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Penn State Football: Nittany Lions look to tame Wildcats in Citrus Bowl

By Barry Leonard Jr.

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: General view of the stadium prior to the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Louisville Cardinals at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: General view of the stadium prior to the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Louisville Cardinals at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football has a chance to post a win against an SEC opponent

It has been over a month since Penn State football has been on the field, but that will all change in just a few short days. After posting nine wins in the regular season, the Nittany Lions have a chance for their third-straight 10-win season against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl.

The Nittany Lions own a 3-2 all-time record against the Wildcats, with the last matchup between the two schools taking place in the 1999 Outback Bowl. Penn State came out victorious that day with a 26-14 victory.

Penn State last played in the Citrus Bowl in 2009 — a 19-17 win over LSU in a memorable mud bowl. Overall, the Nittany Lions are 2-3 in the Citrus Bowl, with their only other win occurring against Tennessee in 1993.

With several stars returning on offense this season, led by senior quarterback Trace McSorley, there were some high expectations for the Nittany Lions in 2018. Unfortunately, blown fourth-quarter leads to Ohio State and Michigan State in back-to-back weeks derailed any thoughts of Penn State participating in the College Football Playoff.

A later blowout loss to Michigan put a New Year’s Six bowl in major jeopardy for the Nittany Lions.

Still, the Nittany Lions were able to pick up nine wins and earn a berth in what’s regarded as the best bowl game outside of the New Year’s Six. It will represent a final opportunity for the Penn State seniors to add on another victory.

While a trip to the Citrus Bowl could be seen as a disappointment for Penn State, the Kentucky Wildcats have to be thrilled. Annually a basement dweller in the SEC, the Wildcats had a fantastic 2018 season that included upset wins over Florida and Mississippi State.

The Wildcats, though not thought of as a football powerhouse, boast two of the nations’ top players in running back Benny Snell and linebacker Josh Allen.

Snell rushed for over 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns, while Allen was honored as the best defensive player in 2018 and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Penn State will certainly have its hands full with a Kentucky team that was overlooked all season.

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The Citrus Bowl, set to take place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, will kick at 1:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

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