COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : FIESTA BOWL : Phillips Silent on Criminal Matters

Nebraska tailback Lawrence Phillips faced the media Thursday and answered questions for nearly an hour, but refused to discuss the Sept. 10 beating of his former girlfriend that led to his arrest and six-game suspension.

Asked by a reporter if the police report was accurate in the beating of Kate McEwen, Phillips said “Next question.”

Phillips, a junior tailback who was considered a top Heisman Trophy prospect entering the season, was convicted of misdemeanor assault and trespassing charges and received a year’s probation.

This week, Coach Tom Osborne reinstated Phillips to the starting lineup for next Tuesday’s Fiesta Bowl game against Florida.

Phillips agreed with Osborne’s decision.

“I feel I’ve served several different punishments,” Phillips said. “I’ve done everything I’ve had to do to get this chance.”

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Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said he is re-working Steve Spurrier’s contract to try to make the Gator coach the highest-paid college football coach in America.

Spurrier currently makes about $700,000 annually on a contract that rolls over through the year 2002. Notre Dame’s Lou Holtz currently ranks as the top-paid collegiate coach, at more than $1 million annually. Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden reportedly earns $975,000.

Spurrier says he is deserving.

“Our school makes more money than any other school,” he said. “It’s like an insurance company. If it’s making more money, their salesmen should get more.”