Edinger Clinches Wild Win

The critics say a playoff system is the only way to bring meaning to the college postseason. They should have seen the Citrus Bowl, and the way No. 9 Michigan State celebrated its wild victory over No. 10 Florida.

Paul Edinger kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired Saturday to cap the Spartans’ most successful season in decades with a 37-34 victory.

Once the kick sailed through, the Spartans (10-2) charged off the sideline, jumped up and down on the field, soaked in their band’s fight song and celebrated like national champions.

The victory in Coach Bobby Williams’ debut gave Michigan State its first 10-win season since 1965. Williams joined George Perles as just the second coach to win in his first game at Michigan State.

Plaxico Burress set a school record with 13 receptions, including three for touchdowns, as the Spartans got the Williams era off to a good start after the stunning departure of Nick Saban last month.

“We just hope this tradition will go on,” senior linebacker Julian Peterson said. “We just hope Coach Williams goes out and wins a national championship next season.”

That used to be a realistic goal for Florida (9-4).

The Gators closed 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.

“I don’t really have a comment about it,” Spurrier said. “We’ve lost three in a row, we’re not going to be in the top 10 and we’re not going to win 10 games. They made a play or two more in the fourth quarter to win it. I guess that’s the way life is for us in 1999.”

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

Trailing 27-26, Florida’s Andra Davis forced Michigan State quarterback Bill Burke to fumble and Alex Brown 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 passed to Gari Scott for the two-point conversion and the score was tied, 34-34, with 10:36 left.

“Plaxico really played to his capabilities today,” Williams said. “It was an outstanding performance.”

The teams traded possessions from there until Michigan State’s Lloyd Clemons bulled for runs of 12, six, two and eight yards to set up the winning field goal.

Clemons finished with 105 yards in 20 carries. Freshman fullback T.J. Duckett had 77 yards in 14 carries.