QB Cam Ward criticizes the swamp after No. 19 Miami's 41-17 win and offers advice to Florida fans

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — After tearing Florida apart, Cam Ward took aim at the frustrated fan base.

The Miami quarterback criticized the Swamps for not being as loud as former Pac-12 heavyweights USC, Oregon and Washington. He also sent a memo to Florida fans who seemed to be saving their cheers for inopportune moments.

“Advice to the fans: If you want to be loud, you have to be loud when we huddle,” Ward said after No. 19 Miami's 41-17 win at Florida Field. “You can't just be loud when we break out of the huddle. At that point, there's no point. We hear the game and we've already communicated.”

It was fantastic trolling for the former Incarnate Word and Washington State starter, who was making his debut in the Southeastern Conference, the league he wanted to play in since high school.

It certainly helped him with Miami fans, who have long hated the Gators.

“I played at USC. USC wasn't crowded, but it was louder than here,” Ward said. “I played at Oregon and it was louder than here. The Pac-12 is often mislabeled. I think the Pac-12 is where real football is played. … Washington was one of the loudest environments I've ever played in.”

Ward completed 26 of 35 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, leading the Hurricanes to six points in their first eight possessions and a 38-10 lead midway through the third quarter that had Florida fans sweating.

“Yeah, he's not bad,” joked Miami coach Mario Cristobal. “He's a special guy. All the things you probably wondered during camp — 'Man, they talk so much about Cam Ward; is he really that good?' — man, he's just scratching the surface.”

___

Get poll alerts and AP Top 25 updates throughout the season. Sign up Here. AP College Football: And