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Austin Appleby, now Florida’s starting QB, takes shot at Purdue coaching staff

Connor O'Gara

By Connor O'Gara

Published:

There’s a growing trend in college football, specifically the SEC.

Last week, former Purdue quarterback Danny Etling was named the starter at LSU. This week, former Purdue quarterback Austin Appleby was named the starter at Florida following an injury to Luke Del Rio.

Appleby spoke to the Florida media on Saturday. It didn’t take long for him to take a jab at his former school:

Appleby, as you’ll recall, was benched after completing 9 of 28 passes in a 27-point loss at home to Virginia Tech. Purdue’s opening day starter from 2015 was immediately illegible at Florida as a graduate transfer.

He finished his Purdue career with 10 straight losses vs. FBS teams.

Obviously Appleby feels more set up for success at Florida. To say that the Purdue coaching staff “didn’t truly care” certainly isn’t a good look for Darrell Hazell, who is on arguably the hottest seat in America. He’s now seen two of his quarterbacks leave and take over at top-level SEC programs.

Appleby’s won’t get an easy welcome to the SEC. His first start is at No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday.

But Appleby feels plenty prepared for that:

Connor O'Gara

Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.