2021 Citrus Bowl

The 2021 Citrus Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2021, with kickoff at 1:00 p.m. EST on ABC.[4] It was the 75th edition of the Citrus Bowl, and was one of the 2020–21 bowl games concluding the 2020 FBS football season. Sponsored by Vrbo, a vacation rental marketplace owned by the HomeAway division of Expedia, the game was officially known as the Vrbo Citrus Bowl.

2021 Vrbo Citrus Bowl
75th Citrus Bowl
Auburn Tigers Northwestern Wildcats
(6–4) (6–2)
SEC Big Ten
19 35
Head coach: 
Kevin Steele (interim)		 Head coach: 
Pat Fitzgerald
APCoachesCFP
151314
1234 Total
Auburn 0676 19
Northwestern 140714 35
DateJanuary 1, 2021
Season2020
StadiumCamping World Stadium
LocationOrlando, Florida
MVPPeyton Ramsey (QB, Northwestern)[1]
FavoriteNorthwestern by 3.5[2]
National anthemThe dancing class
RefereeJerry Magallanes (ACC)[3]
Attendance15,698
United States TV coverage
NetworkABC
AnnouncersDave Flemming (play-by-play)
Rod Gilmore (analyst)
Paul Carcaterra (sideline)

Teams

The game featured the Auburn Tigers of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten Conference. This was the second meeting between the two programs, and first since the 2010 Outback Bowl, won by Auburn, 38–35.[5]

Auburn Tigers
Main article: 2020 Auburn Tigers football team

Auburn entered the game with a 6–4 record, unranked in the AP Poll. They finished in third place in the SEC's West Division. The Tigers faced four ranked teams during the season, losing to Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A&M while defeating Kentucky. Their only other loss was to South Carolina. Prior to the Citrus Bowl, Auburn fired head coach Gus Malzahn, who had led the program for eight seasons.[6] Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele served as interim head coach for the Tigers.[7]

Northwestern Wildcats
Main article: 2020 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Northwestern entered the game with a 6–2 record, ranked 15th in the AP Poll. The Wildcats won the Big Ten's West Division, but fell to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, 22–10. Their only other loss was to Michigan State. Northwestern faced two ranked opponents, losing to Ohio State and defeating Wisconsin. The Wildcats were led by head coach Pat Fitzgerald, in his 15th season with the program.[8]

Game summary
2021 Vrbo Citrus Bowl
1 2 34Total
Auburn 0 6 7619
No. 14 Northwestern 14 0 71435

at Camping World Stadium • Orlando, Florida

  • Date: Friday, January 1, 2021
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: S 15 mph
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes (ACC)
  • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
  • ESPN game summary
Game information
First quarter
  • (11:32) NU – Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman 35 yard pass from Peyton Ramsey, Charlie Kuhbander kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:28; Northwestern 7–0)
  • (3:14) NU – John Raine 6 yard pass from Peyton Ramsey, Charlie Kuhbander kick (Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 4:21; Northwestern 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (6:03) AUB – Anders Carlson 50 yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 20 yards, 2:36; Northwestern 14–3)
  • (0:17) AUB – Anders Carlson 27 yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 3:45; Northwestern 14–6)
Third quarter
  • (8:32) AUB – Elijah Canion 57 yard pass from Bo Nix, Anders Carlson kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:10; Northwestern 14–13)
  • (1:34) NU – Peyton Ramsey 30 yard rush, Charlie Kuhbander kick (Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 2:10; Northwestern 21–13)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:13) NU – Cam Porter 1 yard rush, Charlie Kuhbander kick (Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:16; Northwestern 28–13)
  • (7:49) NU – Riley Lees 8 yard pass from Peyton Ramsey, Charlie Kuhbander kick (Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 3:35; Northwestern 35–13)
  • (4:41) AUB – D.J. Williams 2 yard rush, 2-point pass failed (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:08; Northwestern 35–19)

Statistics
StatisticsAUBNU
First downs1825
Plays–yards69–36186–457
Rushes–yards26–6151–166
Passing yards300291
Passing: Comp–Att–Int26–43–024–35–0
Time of possession24:1833:47
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AuburnPassingBo Nix25/42, 292 yards, 1 TD
RushingBo Nix10 carries, 32 yards
ReceivingElijah Canion3 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD
NorthwesternPassingPeyton Ramsey24/35, 291 yards, 3 TD
RushingCam Porter33 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJohn Raine6 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD

See also

References
  1. @insidenu (January 1, 2021). "Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey is named the 2021 Vrbo Citrus Bowl MVP" (Tweet). Retrieved January 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  2. "College football bowl betting lines released". 247Sports. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  3. Austro, Ben (December 23, 2020). "2020-21 bowl officiating assignments". footballzebras.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  4. "College Football Bowl Schedule | 2020". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  5. "Auburn Tigers vs. Northwestern Wildcats football series history". winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  6. "Auburn announces football coaching change". Auburn University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  7. "Auburn to play Northwestern in Vrbo Citrus Bowl". auburntigers.com. CBS Interactive. December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  8. "Vrbo Citrus Bowl Bound - 'Cats Battle Auburn on New Year's Day". nusports.com. CBS Interactive. December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
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