Will Muschamp lashes out at critics

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- A testy Will Muschamp fired back at critics of his decision to lift the suspensions of three Florida players after a Week 1 game that was suspended by a lightning storm.

Muschamp showed his frustration Wednesday when asked about charges that he went easy on starting defensive tackle Darious Cummings, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick.

"It's not just about suspending players for games," the Gators coach said during his weekly media session on the SEC teleconference. "There's a lot of things that go into discipline. It's about altering and changing behavior, which we've done. I think our discipline speaks for itself and how we've handled our football team, OK? If it was about suspension, you'd never have an issue. Right?

"At the the end of the day, it's more than that. There's a lot of things that go into those situations, a lot more than people know. And it's very frustrating for me as a coach ... to have someone being critical and you don't even have all the information."

Senior linebacker Michael Taylor said his teammates are happy with the decision but still faced internal discipline.

"They're fortunate that they didn't have to miss any time with their guys, any playing experience," Taylor said on Wednesday. "... Champ probably told y'all what happened. I'm pretty sure he wasn't just going to let them off with a slap on the hand or a warning. There's always consequences to be paid for your actions."

Florida ran one play -- the opening kickoff -- against Idaho on Saturday before lightning forced the teams off the field.

In all, there were nearly four hours of weather delays before the game was suspended. An announcement on rescheduling or canceling the game has not yet been made.

The Gators reopen their season Saturday at home against Eastern Michigan.

Cummings, Robinson and Bostwick were reinstated from their suspensions Monday, when Muschamp announced that all three players would play against Eastern Michigan.

"At the end of the day, I make the decisions in this program, I handle the discipline in this program and it's been handled very well," Muschamp said Wednesday.