Florida loses QB Tebow in win over Kentucky

September 27, 2009|Associated Press

Top-ranked Florida rolled past host Kentucky, 41-7, last night, but lost quarterback Tim Tebow to an apparent head and neck injury.

Tebow was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was scheduled to stay overnight following a hard hit in the third quarter. The Gators were in Kentucky territory when Tebow took a big hit from defensive end Taylor Wyndham. Tebow’s head hit the leg of Florida right tackle Marcus Gilbert as he fell to the ground. He lay motionless for several minutes before sitting up. He walked off the field with help to the bench, where his parents came down from the stands to join him.

As Tebow was being carted from the sideline, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner appeared to be vomiting. He was replaced by John Brantley on Florida’s next possession.

Tebow started despite having respiratory issues that forced him and several teammates to take a separate plane to Lexington Friday.

“I don’t know, I think it’s a concussion,’’ Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “I think he’ll be all right.’’

Tebow ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns and added 103 yards and a score through the air before his departure as Florida (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) won its 14th straight, while beating Kentucky (2-1, 0-1) for the 23d straight year.

Iowa 21, Penn St. 10 - Adrian Clayborn returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and the Hawkeyes left soggy Happy Valley with a win over the No. 5 Nittany Lions, their second straight upset of Penn State.

A year after Iowa’s stunning 24-23 win knocked the Nittany Lions out of the national title race, the Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) beat Penn State (3-1, 0-1) again, this time in drenching rainstorm.

Georgia 20, Arizona St. 17 - Blair Walsh kicked a 37-yard field goal on the final play and the 21st-ranked Bulldogs escaped an upset, beating the visiting Sun Devils on another big night for A.J. Green.

Green caught eight passes for 153 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown. He also appeared to get his hand on Bobby Wenzig’s 38-yard field goal attempt that could have put the Sun Devils ahead with 4:21 remaining.

Stanford 34, Washington 14 - The Huskies’ momentum from their shocking upset of Southern California lasted as long as the opening kickoff.

Chris Owusu returned the opening kick 91 yards for a touchdown and Toby Gerhart ran for a career-high 200 yards and a score to help the host Cardinal spoil No. 24 Washington’s first game as a ranked team in six years.

LSU 30, Mississippi State 26 - The seventh-ranked Tigers stuffed the host Bulldogs at the goal line with 1:08 left to preserve a victory.

Brandon LaFell had 101 yards and two touchdown catches and Chad Jones scored on a 93-yard punt return for Louisiana State (4-0, 2-0 SEC).