Michigan State finished 2nd in the Big Ten Conference after a 0–3–1 start ended with six straight victories before being invited to their second straight bowl game and first ever Gator Bowl.
Georgia finished 3rd in the Southeastern Conference and first bowl game since 1987.
The game happened immediately after the December 1989 United States cold wave.
Workers at Gator Bowl Stadium flushed 503 toilets continuously in the hopes of avoiding water pipe problems but the stadium still suffered $5000 in damages.
[1] UGA – Rodney Hampton 6 pass from Wayne Johnson (John Kasay kick), 0:01 left.