1999 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1999 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 7 7 10–2 6–2 Nick Saban 5th regular season Bobby Williams bowl game Morris Watts 9th Bill Miller 1st Aric Morris Spartan Stadium Florida Citrus Bowl champion Florida Citrus Bowl W 37–34 vs. Florida The 1999 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Nick Saban, the Spartans compiled a 10–2 record (6–2 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 341 to 211, tied for second place in the Big Ten, and were ranked No. 7 in the final AP and UPI polls.1999 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football March 7, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1999-schedule.html The Spartans' two losses came at the hands of Heisman Trophy finalists. In their loss to Purdue, Drew Brees passed for 509 yards, and in their loss one week later to Wisconsin, Heisman winner Ron Dayne rushed for 214 yards. Saban announced on November 30 that he was leaving to take the head coaching job at LSU.Goodbye Here, Hello There Lansing State Journal December 1, 1999 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-goodbye-here-hell/167476554/ Newspapers.com Bobby Williams took over as interim head coachSo long, Saban: Veteran MSU assistant to lead team to bowl Lansing State Journal Tim Martin December 1, 1999 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-so-long-saban-ve/167476800/ Newspapers.com and led the Spartans to a 37–34 victory over Florida in the Citrus Bowl, winning on a last second, game-winning field goal by kicker Paul Edinger. The Spartans averaged 134.6 rushing yards and 200.3 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 70.6 rushing yards and 203.5 passing yards per game.1999 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football March 7, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1999.html The team's individual leaders included: Quarterback Bill Burke completed 152 of 277 passes (54.9%) for 1,957 yards, 17 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and a 122.9 quarterback rating. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress tallied 53 receptions for 957 yards and nine touchdowns. Running back Lloyd Clemons tallied 854 rushing yards on 171 carries, an average of 5.0 yards per carry. Placekicker Paul Edinger led the team in scoring with 104 points, converting 39 of 40 extra points and 18 of 22 field goals. Safety Aric Morris was selected as the team's most valuable player. Linebacker Julian Peterson received first-team All-America honors from Football News. Eight Michigan State players received honors on the 1999 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Burress (Coaches-1, Media-1); Peterson (Coaches-2, Media-1); Edinger (Coaches-2, Media-2); Morris (Coaches-2, Media-2); defensive lineman Robaire Smith (Coaches-1, Media-1); defensive back Amp Campbell (Coaches-1, Media-1); punter Craig Jewett (Coaches-1, Media-2); tight end Chris Baker; and offensive guard Shaun Mason (Coaches-2, Media-2). The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Schedule 1999 AP Eastern September 2 8:00 p.m. w y Oregon Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN 27–20 72,923 Happy returns: Big plays by Campbell, Scott help Michigan State overcome Oregon Lansing State Journal Larry Lage September 3, 1999 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-happy-returns-big/167475071/ Newspapers.com September 11 1:00 p.m. w y Eastern Michigan Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 51–7 72,569 Take That, MAC: Michigan State manhandles Eastern Michigan Lansing State Journal Larry Lage September 12, 1999 1C, 2C https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-take-that-mac-mi/167474792/ Newspapers.com September 18 1:30 p.m. w y y Notre Dame 24 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 23–13 80,012 No Irish QB dilemma South Bend Tribune September 19, 1999 C1, C6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-nd-msu/167478371/ Newspapers.com September 25 3:30 p.m. w y 19 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 27–10 52,417 Dye Dave Spartans' defense shuts down Illini https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110849711/detroit-free-press/ October 6, 2022 Detroit Free Press September 26, 1999 1E Newspapers.com October 2 12:10 p.m. w y 14 Iowa Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN Plus 49–3 73,629 Perfect Showdown: MSU moves to 5-0 in dominant fashion Lansing State Journal Larry Lage October 3, 1999 1D, 2D https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-perfect-showdown/167474499/ Newspapers.com October 9 12:00 p.m. w 11 Michigan 3 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry, College GameDay ABC 34–31 76,895 State of perfection: MSU 6-0 and rising after win over U-M The Lansing State Journal Gary Ahern October 10, 1999 1A, 8A https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-of-perfectio/167475473/ Newspapers.comState Champs: Record-setting passing day propels Spartans past Michigan Lansing State Journal Larry Lage October 10, 1999 1C, 2C https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-champs-reco/167475620/ Newspapers.com October 16 3:30 p.m. l y 5 Purdue 20 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN ABC 28–52 68,216 Brees, Daniels haunt MSU: Purdue QB throws for 509 yards, receiver catches 21 passes for 301 yards Journal and Courier Tom Kubat October 17, 1999 B1, B2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-brees-daniels-haun/167478049/ Newspapers.com October 23 12:10 p.m. l y 11 Wisconsin 16 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN2 10–40 78,469 Rush to judgment: Badgers look good; Dayne, defense dominate Spartans Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern October 24, 1999 1D, 9D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-rush-to-judgment/167475994/ Newspapers.com November 6 12:10 p.m. w 19 Ohio State 20 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN 23–7 74,639 Buckeye Bashing: Spartans back on track after defense dismantles Ohio State, 23-7 Lansing State Journal Larry Lage November 7, 1999 1D, 2D https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-buckeye-bashing-s/167474192/ Newspapers.com November 13 1:00 p.m. w y 17 Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL 34–0 30,045 Spartans answer Saban's request Chicago Tribune Bill Jauss November 14, 1999 8 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-spartans-answer-sabans/167477624/ Newspapers.com November 20 3:30 p.m. w 15 Penn State 13 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry ABC 35–28 74,231 MSU Rides T.J. Train: Duckett's 4 touchdowns spark 35-28 win, probable New Year's Day bowl bid Lansing State Journal Larry Lage November 21, 1999 1C, 4C https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-msu-rides-tj-tra/167472636/ Newspapers.com January 1, 2000 1:00 p.m. w y y 9 Florida 10 Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl ABC 37–34 54,866 UFrustration: Last-second field goal gives Michigan State win The Orlando Sentinel Chris Harry January 2, 2000 C1, C10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-ufrustration-last/167472163/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-michigan-state-kos-fl/157458316/ The Flint Journal Michigan State KO's Florida on final play January 2, 2000 October 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Rankings 1999 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 RV RV RV RV 19 14 11 5 11 19 19 17 15 11 10 9 7 Coaches Poll 0 16 RV RV* RV RV 21 14 11 7 13 20 19 17 14 11 10 9 7 BCS 9 15 15 NR 13 12 11 10 9 Game summaries Oregon Oregon at Michigan State Oregon 7 10 0 3 Michigan State 7 0 10 10 September 2 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI 8:00 p.m. 72,923 Mike Tirico, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit ESPN Michigan No. 3 Michigan at No. 11 Michigan State Michigan 0 10 0 21 Michigan State 7 6 14 7 October 9 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI 12:00 p.m. 76,895 Tim Brant & Mike Golic ABC yes 1 6:55 MSU T.J. Duckett 1 yard run (Paul Edinger kick) MSU 7–0 2 14:55 MICH Hayden Epstein 56 yard field goal MSU 7–3 2 5:28 MSU Paul Edinger 39 yard field goal MSU 10–3 2 3:39 MICH Marcus Knight 81 yard pass from Drew Henson (Jeff Del Verne kick) Tied 10–10 2 1:17 MSU Paul Edinger 43 yard field goal MSU 13–10 3 6:15 MSU Gari Scott 19 yard pass from Bill Burke (Paul Edinger kick) MSU 20–10 3 3:02 MSU Plaxico Burress 15 yard pass from Bill Burke (Paul Edinger kick) MSU 27–10 4 14:23 MICH Anthony Thomas 2 yard run (Jeff Del Verne kick) MSU 27–17 4 12:19 MSU Dawan Moss 14 yard run (Paul Edinger kick) MSU 34–17 4 8:11 MICH David Terrell 19 yard pass from Tom Brady (Jeff Del Verne kick) MSU 34–24 4 2:47 MICH Aaron Shea 8 yard pass from Tom Brady (Jeff Del Verne kick) MSU 34–31 yes Bill Burke threw for a school-record 400 yards and two touchdowns while Plaxico Burress set a new mark with 255 yards receiving. Burke broke Ed Smith's record of 369 against Indiana in 1979 while Burress surpassed Andre Rison's 252 yards against Georgia in 1989. Michigan State was now 6–0 for the first time since the 1966 national championship season.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores99/99282/99282426.htm NCAA Football - Michigan vs. Michigan State USA Today Michigan quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Henson combined for 396 passing yards, but the Michigan State defense held the Wolverines to six rushing yards for the game. Roster 1999 Michigan State Spartans f 83 So Chris Baker Chris Baker (tight end) TE y 16 Sr Bill Burke QB 4 Jr Plaxico Burress WR y 51 Jr Brian Grant C 00 So Ericson Rico FB 74 Jr Tupe Peko T y 76 Sr Greg Randall T y 86 Sr Gari Scott WR y 3 Sr Amp Campbell CB 8 Fr T. J. Duckett LB y 15 Jr Renaldo Hill CB y 9 Sr Aric Morris DB y 98 Sr Julian Peterson LB y 95 So Josh Shaw Josh Shaw (defensive tackle) DT y 91 Sr Robaire Smith DE y 50 So Josh Thornhill LB y 35 Jr T. J. Turner T. J. Turner (linebacker) LB y 1 Sr Paul Edinger K y 12 So Craig Jarrett P y Nick Saban (Regular season) Bobby Williams (bowl game) Morris Watts – Offensive coordinator Bobby Williams – Running backs coach Pat Ruel – Offensive Line coach Bill Miller – Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan – Linebackers coach Mark Dantonio – Defensive back coach Bob Casullo – Assistant Brad Lawing – Assistant Reggie Mitchell – Assistant Josh McDaniels – Graduate assistant Brian Daboll – Graduate assistant Fred Farrier – Graduate assistant 2000 NFL draft The following players were selected in the 2000 NFL draft. Michigan State Spartans Player Round Pick Position NFL team Plaxico Burress 1 8 Wide receiver Pittsburgh Steelers Julian Peterson 1 16 Linebacker San Francisco 49ers Gari Scott 4 99 Wide receiver Philadelphia Eagles Greg Randall 4 127 Tackle New England Patriots Aric Morris 5 135 Strong safety Tennessee Titans Paul Edinger 6 174 Kicker Chicago Bears Robaire Smith 6 197 Defensive tackle Tennessee Titans References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Category:Citrus Bowl champion seasons Michigan State Spartans football