STEVE SPURRIER blasted Florida fans yesterday for booing the team in its season-opening victory and suggested he may have worn out his welcome as Gators coach.
In a stunning start to his weekly news media luncheon in Gainesville, Fla., Spurrier related how he had spoken before the previous day's practice with the freshman punter, ROBBY STEVENSON, a prime target of jeers after he averaged only 21.5 yards on two kicks.
"I put my arm around him and said, 'Robby, one good thing about this game this week is nobody will boo you because we'll be on the road," said Spurrier, whose fifth-ranked team plays at Kentucky on Saturday night. "I didn't think I would ever be in a position to say those sort of things coaching the Gators."
Florida fans let their team have it last Saturday night when they struggled in the first half against Houston, a team that was 1-10 last year and entered the game as a 45-point underdog. Florida won, 45-21.
"Every time they boo when anything happens out there, basically they're booing me," Spurrier said. (AP)