TAMPA, Fla. - Representatives from Michigan State and Georgia made their way to Tampa Thursday afternoon for the ceremonial Outback Bowl contract signing. The event featured athletics directors and coaches from both schools.

MSU head coach Mark Dantonio and Georgia head coach Mark Richt also met with the media to talk about the matchup.

"Last Saturday night was a difficult time for us, but we need to be able to move on," said Dantonio. "That's been something we've been able to do as a program every time we've hit a little bit of adversity, whether it's in the first quarter in a game, or whether it's after the game. We have to move forward, and that's what we'll continue to do. We have a great opponent in Georgia and an outstanding environment to play in. Our players are expected to be ready. We'll challenge them again to win 11 games.

"Winning that bowl game is something that we have not been able to do since we've come here. If our senior class can do that, that will set the bar again in an area we haven't been to yet. This senior class continues to make their way as one of the best senior classes we've ever had here. I know they will be focused on the challenge ahead."

"I think it's an opportunity for not only our student-athletes, but our fans to be all in," said MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. "This is an outstanding bowl game against an outstanding team. It's an opportunity to play against an SEC Division champion - they won the East Division, and we won the Legends Division. We're very much looking forward to that challenge. As strong as we are in the field, we need to have that same strength up in the stands."

The 2012 Outback Bowl kicks off at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Tickets are available at msuspartans.com.