The Associated Press

Orlando, Fla.

Saturday, January 01, 2000

Orlando, Fla. – No. 9 Michigan State enjoyed a wild and successful finish to its best season in 35 years.

Paul Edinger kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired Saturday to give the Spartans a 37-34 victory over No. 10 Florida in the Citrus Bowl.

The kick sailed through and the Spartans (10-2) charged off the sideline, celebrating their first 10-victory season since 1965 and a victory in their first New Year’s Day bowl appearance in 11 years.

Plaxico Burress set a school record with 13 receptions, including three for touchdowns, to help coach Bobby Williams join George Perles as just the second Michigan State coach to win in his debut.

It was an equally devastating loss for Florida (9-4).

The Gators close the season on their first three-game losing streak since 1988, two years before Steve Spurrier arrived as coach. They’ll finish without 10 victories for the first time since 1992 and likely out of the top 10 for the first time since 1990.

Even though Florida is hurting this year, the Gators’ name will look quite nice on a list of Michigan State victories that includes Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan.

This one might have been the most thrilling of all.

And just like the Outback Bowl, which ended a few hours earlier, this second-tier bowl game offered proof to all the bowl critics that a game doesn’t have to have everything riding on it to be entertaining.

Florida took a 21-20 lead into halftime and, after the teams went scoreless through most of the third quarter, the excitement began.

First Michigan State quarterback Bill Burke hit Burress for a 21-yard touchdown and a 26-21 lead.

Florida answered when Doug Johnson hit Travis Taylor in the middle of the field and Taylor weaved through traffic for a 39-yard touchdown, upending the Spartans’ Amp Campbell and an official on his way to the end zone.

It was the third Johnson-Taylor touchdown connection of the day.

After the play, Johnson started jawing at Michigan State defensive end Hubert Thompson, who took on both the quarterback and Florida tackle Kenyatta Walker. A large pile grew in the middle of the field and the fight didn’t end until coaches came off both benches to break up the melee. Walker and Thompson were ejected.

On Michigan State’s next possession, Andra Davis forced Burke to fumble and Gerard Warren recovered for the Gators. Florida converted for a 34-26 lead when running back Robert Gillespie fumbled into the end zone, then snatched the ball back with one hand as he was falling across the goal line.

Burress split Florida’s zone on the next drive for a 30-yard touchdown catch. Burke hit Gari Scott for the 2-point conversion and the game was tied at 34 with 10:36 left.

The teams traded possessions from there until Lloyd Clemons bulled for runs of 12, 6, 2 and 8 yards to set up the winning field goal.

Clemons finished with 105 yards on 20 carries. Freshman fullback T.J. Duckett had 77 yards on 14 carries. Burke went 21-for-35 for 257 yards in his last college game.

Johnson closed his college career with yet another bitter chapter. Given every chance to win the game by Spurrier, the senior quarterback went 24-for-50 for 288 yards. He made several good throws, but also botched some plays.