Fans were provided a treat as the Florida Classic took the newly renovated Orlando Citrus Bowl by storm Saturday in Orange County.
Bethune-Cookman lined up in a wild formation in overtime and converted a two-point conversion to top Florida A&M, 18-17, in the annual rivalry game.
About 40,000 people filed into the stadium for the game. Some construction continues, and so some areas were blocked off for safety reasons. Parking areas were also blocked off because construction equipment remains at the stadium. But for the most part, fans said they didn't encounter many problems.
"A lot of renovation going on, but we didn't have any problem parking or nothing like that," said Melvin Williams, a fan who attended the game. "With everything going on, it's a nice time down here."
About 90 percent of the Citrus Bowl is new. The only physical remnants of the stadium's past are in the upper-level stands. Those were saved in the reconstruction process. Work on the $207 million project will continue until spring 2015, but officials said it shouldn't have an impact on any of the upcoming events.
Robert Champion's family returns to Florida Classic
Parents of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion were outside the Citrus Bowl on Saturday trying to spread the word about hazing.
Robert Champion Sr. and his wife, Pamela, handed out anti-hazing fliers to people at the Florida Classic.
The Champions wanted to use the event to raise awareness about the dangers of hazing.
Their son, Robert, was hazed and killed in an Orlando hotel parking lot after the Florida Classic in 2011.