The Associated Press

Team USA's Demarco McClesky celebrates with kicker (and UC teammate) Jonathan Ruffin. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

ORLANDO, Fla. - Cincinnati's Jonathan Ruffin already has a trophy proving he's one of the nation's best kickers. Capping his collegiate career with a winning field goal was icing on the cake.

Ruffin kicked a Gridiron Classic-record 49-yard field goal with 13 seconds left Saturday to give Team USA a 20-17 win over Team Florida.

"I couldn't ask for a better ending to my final college game," said Ruffin, who won the Lou Groza Award in 2000.

Ruffin, who was chosen the game's most valuable player, beat the previous mark of 39 yards set by West Virginia's Jay Taylor in 2000. The kick matched his career best, set against Ohio State Sept. 21.

He also had a 34-yard field goal late in the third quarter that put Team USA ahead 17-3. Ruffin holds Bearcats records for field goals made (62) and attempted (79), extra points made (129) and attempted (134), points (315) and field goal percentage (.784).

"He didn't need this game to prove he's a good kicker," Team USA co-coach Jack Bicknell said.

The winning kick was set up by Curt Anes' 28-yard pass to Buffalo tight end Chad Bartoszek down to the Team Florida 40. Anes then scrambled for 7 yards before a clock-stopping spike and an incompletion in the end zone.

Anes, the NCAA Division II player of the year at Grand Valley State, was 9-for-14 for 116 yards.

Team Florida fullback Chris Davis (Syracuse) drags Team USA's Jerton Evans (Virginia) into the end zone. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

"Curt Anes is a guy that some NFL teams need to make sure they take a long, hard look at," Bicknell said.

Ruffin, who wears a converted jazz-dance slipper when he kicks, made the field goal with just a few feet to spare, as it sailed through near the left upright.

The Gridiron Classic matches college seniors with Florida roots against players from the rest of the nation.

Three other Bearcats played in the game. Offensive guard Kirt Doolin and running back DeMarco McCleskey played for Team USA, and cornerback Blue Adams suited up for Team Florida.

Team USA took a 14-3 lead with 5:05 left before halftime on Bartoszek's 9-yard reception from Wisconsin's Brooks Bollinger. On the drive, Bollinger completed four passes for 68 yards and scrambled once for 8 yards.

After three quarters of sluggishness, Team Florida finally came to life behind Florida A&M quarterback Casey Printers. His 1-yard TD pass to Auburn tight end Lorenzo Diamond cut the deficit to 17-10 with 14:07 remaining. On the drive, Printers had a 25-yard scramble and a 38-yard pass after he spun out of a sack.

Florida A&M quarterback Casey Printers completed eight of 14 passes for 62 yards with one interception for Team Florida, and he ran for 21 yards. Team Florida had only 38 yards rushing on 23 attempts.

Team USA was forced to punt after three plays on its ensuing possession, and Team Florida put together an 11-play touchdown drive to tie the game. The drive was capped by Syracuse fullback Chris Davis' 4-yard TD run with 5:49 remaining.

Team USA	7	7	3	3	-20
Team Florida	3	0	0	14	-17

First Quarter

TUSA-Moore 7 pass from Hybl (Ruffin kick), 7:08.

TFLA-FG Mariscal 37, 1:43.

Second Quarter

TUSA-Bartoszek 9 pass from Bollinger (Ruffin kick), 5:05.

Third Quarter

TUSA-FG Ruffin 34, 1:44.

Fourth Quarter

TFLA-Diamond 1 pass from Printers (Mariscal kick), 14:07.

TFLA-Davis 4 run (Mariscal kick), 5:49.

TUSA FG-Ruffin 49, :13.

A-9,375.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Team USA, Bollinger 5-23, Smart 5-21, Harris 6-14, McCleskey 2-10, Childs 4-1, Anes 2-0, Hybl 2-(minus 2). Team Florida, Printers 2-21, Blackwell 4-7, Maddox 2-6, Merriweather 3-6, J.Smith 5-6, Talley 4-4, Davis 1-4, team 1-(minus 7), Watts 1-(minus 9).

PASSING-Team USA, Anes 9-14-0-116, Bollinger 10-12-0-117, Hybl 4-12-0-29, team 0-1-0-0. Team Florida, Watts 10-21-0-54, Blackwell 7-14-0-71, Printers 8-14-1-62.

RECEIVING-Team USA, Madise 6-52, Hayes 3-60, Bartoszek 3-43, Watkins 3-37, Bush 3-31, Savage 2-21, Harris 1-7, Moore 1-7, Newhouse 1-4. Team Florida, Fryzel 7-45, Rubin 4-30, Morgan 3-19, Talley 2-39, Diamond 2-30, Hughes 2-7, H.Smith 2-6, Merriweather 1-4, Jones 1-4, J.Smith 1-3.