Florida lineman on Kiffin: ‘he’s a bozo’

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Florida offensive lineman Matt Patchan has beefed up over the summer. And he’s already having no trouble throwing his weight around.

When asked what he’d say if he ran into Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin on the street, Patchan didn’t hold back his words.

“I’ve got nothing to say to that guy. He’s a bozo,” the sophomore told The Gainesville Sun.

Some college football fans might be asking, “Where are your manners, Matt?”

Patchan’s comment is just the latest in the back-and-forth bickering the two teams and their coaches have enjoyed before the 2009 season even starts.

But hey, he started it.

Kiffin is the new kid on SEC coaches block. But he hasn’t exactly made a lot of friends, thanks to his accusations, such as alleging cheating on the part of Gators’ coach Urban Meyer.

Kiffin was reprimanded by the SEC for accusing Florida of illegal recruiting tactics, and the young Vols’ coach issued a statement of apology to Meyer.

Will the bickering end any time soon? Probably not.

The Vols travel to Gainesville, Fla., for a Sept. 19 game.