Rain Shortens Spartan Bowl Practice
12/23/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 23, 1999
ORLANDO, Fla. - Steady rain forced Michigan State head football coach Bobby Williams to suspended practice after one hour Thursday as the ninth-ranked Spartans (9-2) continue preparation for the Florida Citrus Bowl Jan. 1, 2000, against No. 10 Florida (9-3).
?I don?t think that cutting practice short sets us back at all,? Williams said. ?I already had considered shortening today?s practice because the players worked hard and hit hard during two-a-days. With poor field conditions, it was too much of a risk to continue the workout.
?I knew after watching the passing drills that we couldn?t go long today because the footing was poor. We were fortunate to get an hour of work in without getting anyone hurt. I didn?t want to lose a player to a pulled hamstring or groin for the bowl game. Those types of injuries take a week or more to heal.
?We had an enthusiastic one-hour workout and the guys conditioned hard,? he said. ?Now, the guys have almost three days to get their legs back.?
The Spartans will take the next two days off before resuming their practice schedule Sunday at 1 p.m.
?We?ll let the field dry out over the next two days and hope for a better playing surface Sunday,? Williams said.
?I want the players to enjoy the two days off and spend time with their families. A lot of parents have made the trip to Orlando for the bowl game and I want the players to spend time with their families during the holidays.?
Coach Williams? wife, Sheila, and children, Nataly and Nicholas, arrived in Orlando, Fla., Thursday night.
?I?m looking forward to seeing my family,? Williams said. ?Orlando is my family?s favorite vacation spot.
?My children are anxious to hit the amusement parks. I?m going to have a difficult time keeping pace with my kids at the parks. I?ll be worn out after two hours while my kids will just be getting started.?
The Michigan State team and official travel party have trips planned to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Friday and Magic Kingdom Park Saturday.
