Timing pattern

Grossman won't start Orange Bowl

Rex Grossman warms up in the rain at Miami's St. Thomas University on Monday. AP

MIAMI (AP) -- Florida coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that quarterback Rex Grossman will not start the Orange Bowl as punishment for missing curfew on the team's second night in Miami.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen," Grossman told The Associated Press on Monday night. "I was a couple minutes late the second night I was here, but I don't know what he's going to do."

Backup Brock Berlin will get his first start in what many expect to be his final game with the No. 5 Gators.

Berlin visited the University of Miami about a week ago and is considering transferring there after the season.

Asked on Monday if he was starting in the Orange Bowl, Berlin said, "I couldn't even tell you right now. I've just been practicing hard, doing everything I'm supposed to do, and we'll just see what happens."

Grossman's father, Dan Grossman, also said he'd heard Spurrier will punish his son for his misbehavior last Friday.

"I don't know if it's a totally done deal," Dan Grossman said. "I'm mad at Rex and I'm mad at the punishment, so there's two people I'm mad at."

Earlier in the week, Spurrier said he would try to give Berlin some playing time, probably in the first half. But he didn't mention anything of Grossman's curfew violation.

Grossman started all 11 games this season, threw for a school-record 3,896 yards and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.

Asked if Spurrier was angry at him for missing curfew, the quarterback said, "He wasn't happy. But we'll see what happens."

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