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Spurrier's History No Big Deal To UF Players

Tribune file photo (2007)

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier gives Florida quarterback Tim Tebow a hug after last year's game.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2008

GAINESVILLE - You know you are old if ...

• People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"

• Steve Spurrier still makes you think of Florida Gators football.

Here's something shocking to think about. The ol' ball coach is an old ball coach. It was 12 years ago Spurrier coached Florida to its first national championship, or about the same time a big slice of this year's 8-1 Gators team was starting first grade.

So when Spurrier brings his 24th-ranked 7-3 South Carolina Gamecocks into The Swamp on Saturday afternoon, the occasion may cause some bittersweet reminiscing by some Florida fans but probably not by its players.

"I'm not sure how much our guys are into history," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "One of the negative things about the youth of America, they are into the present and the future - which is fine. I kind of like history. I think it helps prepare you for the future. But I don't think this is a big deal to the players at all."

So much the better, by Meyer's thinking. Already this week he has been forced to address his team on a subject other than getting ready for the next game on its schedule.

The growing national consensus is an SEC vs. Big 12 national championship game with Florida and its offense gone wild receiving wild admiration.

Finally, this week Meyer spoke to his team, most likely addressing the subject of the BCS much like an uncomfortable father addressing the birds and the bees.

"Sunday we do have a meeting," Meyer said. "It was appropriate. It was the first time we've even addressed it. I think we addressed it for six minutes.

"I told them very clearly what it is and if I hear it again, we're going to have extra running. There is no business discussing that. Here is exactly where we stand. Here's who we play. Here's your schedule for the next four weeks. Let's move on. That's what we did. It's over. Done."

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CALL IT SPECIAL? With two blocked two punts against Vanderbilt by Carlos Dunlap, the Gators' special teams continue as an intricate part of Florida's success.

The Gators have blocked five punts and seven total kicks this year.

"The best thing going right now is our guys are like sharks in the water," Meyer said. "They want to be on that team.

"It all starts with personnel and finishes with personnel. If you have good people you can draw those little circles all you want."

BETTER THAN FEARED: The injured knee redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Carl Johnson suffered in the Vanderbilt game is not as serious as first feared.

"We were worried it was a meniscus," Meyer said. "We found out it's an MCL sprain and we are expecting him to be ready to go."

GATOR BITES: The Gators' men's basketball season tips off Friday at 6 p.m. in the O'Connell Center against Toledo. ... Florida's Nov. 22 home game with The Citadel will kick off at 1:30 p.m. and be shown via pay-per-view. ... Jimmy Carnes, a legendary Gators track and field coach (1965-76), will be inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame on Dec. 6.

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