Michigan State University Athletics
Seven Spartans Invited to Play in Football All-Star Games
1/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 22, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Seven Michigan State seniors have been extended invitations to play in postseason football all-star games.
Five Spartans ? including placekicker Paul Edinger, linebacker Julian Peterson, offensive tackle Greg Robinson-Randall, wide receiver Gari Scott and defensive end Robaire Smith ? will participate in Saturday?s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Strong safety Aric Morris also was invited to play in the Senior Bowl but declined the offer after undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee following the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Cornerback Amp Campbell also will be in action Saturday, playing in the Hula Bowl in Maui, Hawaii.
Campbell, Edinger and Scott will return to Orlando, Fla., the site of Michigan State?s 37-34 triumph over Florida in the Florida Citrus Bowl, on Jan. 29 to participate in the All-Star Gridiron Classic.
Edinger, a second-team All-Big Ten selection, led the Spartans in scoring with 103 points in 1999. He connected on 21-of-26 field-goal attempts (.808), including a career-long 55-yarder at Wisconsin. Edinger kicked three field goals in MSU?s 37-34 bowl victory over Florida, including the game-winner from 39 yards out as time expired. A native of Lakeland, Fla., Edinger ranks among MSU?s all-time leaders in field goals made (third with 46) and scoring (seventh with 213 points).
Peterson, a first-team All-America pick by the Football News, produced a school single-season record 30 tackles for losses (140 yards) in ?99, including 15 sacks (104 yards). He earned Defensive MVP honors in the Florida Citrus Bowl after recording eight tackles, including five for losses (32 yards), against the Gators. Despite playing only two seasons, the Hillcrest, Md., native set a Spartan career record with 48 tackles for losses (215 yards). His 25 career sacks (161 yards) rank second on MSU?s all-time list.
Robinson-Randall started 22-straight games at right tackle for the Spartans. The Hitchcock, Texas, native earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in ?99. Robinson-Randall graded out a career-best 86 percent, with 10 production points, in MSU?s 23-7 win over Ohio State. He scored 82 percent in the Spartans? 34-31 victory over Michigan, including a season-high 12 production points.
Scott finished third on the team in receptions with 30 for 483 yards (16.1 avg.) and six touchdowns in ?99. He ranked among the Big Ten leaders in punt returns (third with 13.2 avg.) and all-purpose yards (10th with 100.0 ypg.). The Lake Park, Fla., native is listed among MSU?s career leaders in receptions (third with 134), receiving yards (sixth with 2,095) and TD catches (fourth with 18). Scott shattered MSU?s career record for punt returns with 1,088 yards, breaking the previous mark by 468 yards. He accounted for 3,979 career all-purpose yards, good for eighth on MSU?s all-time list.
Smith, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, finished second on the team in tackles for losses (14 for 81 yards) and sacks (eight for 71). The Flint, Mich., native ranks among Michigan State?s all-time leaders in tackles for losses (fourth with 38 for 169 yards) and sacks (fifth with 22 for 140).
Morris, who was voted team MVP by his teammates, led the Spartans and ranked third in the Big Ten with 132 tackles. The second-team All-Big Ten selection reached double figures in tackles eight times, including 10 stops against Florida in the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Oak Park, Mich., native recorded a career-high 19 tackles each vs. Wisconsin and Oregon. Morris had two interceptions in ?99, including one he returned 76 yards for a touchdown at Purdue. A three-year starter, he ranks sixth on MSU?s all-time tackles chart with 350.
Campbell completed a courageous comeback from spinal-fusion surgery to earn Associated Press third-team All-America honors. He had a school single-season record 26 pass break-ups to go along with two interceptions in ?99. Campbell returned a fumble 85 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the season opener against Oregon. The Sarasota, Fla., native started 37 or 38 games and finished his career with 141 tackles, seven interceptions and a school-record 56 PBUs.
