Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO COLUMN: Hoosiers Ready for TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
12/9/2019 10:10:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Reakwon Jones is clear – Indiana isn't going to Florida to soak up the sun.
It's to beat Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
Period.
"Our mission is to win this game," the fifth-year senior linebacker said.
IU (8-4, 5-4 B1G East) is playing in a Florida bowl for the first time, and any bowl for the 12th time, including its third in the last five seasons. Its last bowl victory came in 1991 over Baylor in the Copper Bowl.
The Hoosiers will face the Southeastern Conference's Tennessee Volunteers (7-5, 5-3 SEC East) for the second time on Jan. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla. The first came in the 1988 Peach Bowl, which the Volunteers won 27-22.
That's not relevant to these Hoosiers, who hope to reach nine victories for just the third time in program history.
"That was one of our preseason goals, to win a bowl," Jones said. "That's something that should be expected. We're trying to make history and make it one to remember for everybody.
"We want to continue to build momentum for the program. Our sense of urgency is high."
Fifth-year senior receiver Nick Westbrook is just as adamant.
"Winning will be better for guys going into next year to have that momentum. And we want to keep this going.
"For me, it will be a chance to say I ended on a good note."
Jones is one of 26 IU players from Florida. Like most of them, he grew up wanting to play for an SEC team (he was a Florida fan). That didn't work out, and he's determined to make someone pay.
"The SEC is where kids in Florida think they're going. To not have the opportunity gives me a big chip on my shoulder. I'm ready to prove something to all the SEC schools that didn't offer me.
"They didn't want any of our kids from Florida. We came up here to make a change. We'll have something to prove."
Added Westbrook: "I'm excited to play an SEC team. I almost felt slighted because I didn't get any SEC attention."
As far as the Florida location, head coach Tom Allen said the Hoosiers, "Wanted a Florida bowl really bad. This is a great reward for a lot of hard work."
Added Westbrook: "It's crazy that my last college game will be in my home state."
The 7 p.m. kickoff will make this the day's only prime-time game, which should produce a significant national TV audience.
"We get the prime time," Jones said. "It will be a huge chance for this program and university to be in the limelight like that. We want to make sure we take full advantage of that. Show the world what Indiana football is about."
This will be IU's second bowl under Allen, who made his debut at the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl and recently signed a new seven-year contract paying $3.9 million annually.
"Playing in the historic TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is a great opportunity for our team," IU vice president and director of athletics Fred Glass said. "Earning an invitation to our first-ever Florida bowl reflects the hard work of our players and staff. It's yet another remarkable achievement in a season of remarkable achievements.
"We look forward to bringing Hoosier Nation to Jacksonville, competing against a high-quality opponent in Tennessee, and having the opportunity to be TaxSlayer Gator Bowl champions."
Tennessee arrives with a five-game winning streak. Since a 35-13 loss to Alabama the Volunteers have beaten South Carolina 41-21, UAB 30-7, Kentucky 17-13, Missouri 24-20, and Vanderbilt 28-10.
Three players have rushed for more than 400 yards – Ty Chandler (620), Eric Gray (453) and Jim Jordan (424).
Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completes 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,937 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Receiver Jauan Jennings has caught 57 passes for 942 yards and eight touchdowns. Marquez Callaway has 29 catches for 616 yards (21.3 average) and six TDs.
"I know they finished strong," Allen said. "They're playing their best ball at the end of the season. Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt has done a great job of rebuilding that program. We understand the kind of athletes we'll be playing against."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Reakwon Jones is clear – Indiana isn't going to Florida to soak up the sun.
It's to beat Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
Period.
"Our mission is to win this game," the fifth-year senior linebacker said.
IU (8-4, 5-4 B1G East) is playing in a Florida bowl for the first time, and any bowl for the 12th time, including its third in the last five seasons. Its last bowl victory came in 1991 over Baylor in the Copper Bowl.
The Hoosiers will face the Southeastern Conference's Tennessee Volunteers (7-5, 5-3 SEC East) for the second time on Jan. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla. The first came in the 1988 Peach Bowl, which the Volunteers won 27-22.
That's not relevant to these Hoosiers, who hope to reach nine victories for just the third time in program history.
"That was one of our preseason goals, to win a bowl," Jones said. "That's something that should be expected. We're trying to make history and make it one to remember for everybody.
"We want to continue to build momentum for the program. Our sense of urgency is high."
Fifth-year senior receiver Nick Westbrook is just as adamant.
"Winning will be better for guys going into next year to have that momentum. And we want to keep this going.
"For me, it will be a chance to say I ended on a good note."
Jones is one of 26 IU players from Florida. Like most of them, he grew up wanting to play for an SEC team (he was a Florida fan). That didn't work out, and he's determined to make someone pay.
"The SEC is where kids in Florida think they're going. To not have the opportunity gives me a big chip on my shoulder. I'm ready to prove something to all the SEC schools that didn't offer me.
"They didn't want any of our kids from Florida. We came up here to make a change. We'll have something to prove."
Added Westbrook: "I'm excited to play an SEC team. I almost felt slighted because I didn't get any SEC attention."
As far as the Florida location, head coach Tom Allen said the Hoosiers, "Wanted a Florida bowl really bad. This is a great reward for a lot of hard work."
Added Westbrook: "It's crazy that my last college game will be in my home state."
The 7 p.m. kickoff will make this the day's only prime-time game, which should produce a significant national TV audience.
"We get the prime time," Jones said. "It will be a huge chance for this program and university to be in the limelight like that. We want to make sure we take full advantage of that. Show the world what Indiana football is about."
This will be IU's second bowl under Allen, who made his debut at the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl and recently signed a new seven-year contract paying $3.9 million annually.
"Playing in the historic TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is a great opportunity for our team," IU vice president and director of athletics Fred Glass said. "Earning an invitation to our first-ever Florida bowl reflects the hard work of our players and staff. It's yet another remarkable achievement in a season of remarkable achievements.
"We look forward to bringing Hoosier Nation to Jacksonville, competing against a high-quality opponent in Tennessee, and having the opportunity to be TaxSlayer Gator Bowl champions."
Tennessee arrives with a five-game winning streak. Since a 35-13 loss to Alabama the Volunteers have beaten South Carolina 41-21, UAB 30-7, Kentucky 17-13, Missouri 24-20, and Vanderbilt 28-10.
Three players have rushed for more than 400 yards – Ty Chandler (620), Eric Gray (453) and Jim Jordan (424).
Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completes 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,937 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Receiver Jauan Jennings has caught 57 passes for 942 yards and eight touchdowns. Marquez Callaway has 29 catches for 616 yards (21.3 average) and six TDs.
"I know they finished strong," Allen said. "They're playing their best ball at the end of the season. Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt has done a great job of rebuilding that program. We understand the kind of athletes we'll be playing against."
Players Mentioned
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