Florida QB Tim Tebow knocked out of Gators’ 41-7 victory against Kentucky with head injury

Florida QB Tebow knocked out with head injury

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tim Tebow was taken to a hospital by ambulance after a hard hit to the head in the third quarter of No. 1 Florida’s game against Kentucky on Saturday night.

There was no immediate report on the quarterback’s condition.

The Gators were in Kentucky territory when Tebow took a big hit from Kentucky 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 backup John Brantley on Florida’s next possession.

Tebow had rushed for 123 yards and two scores and added another 103 yards passing and a touchdown before the injury. He started despite having respiratory issues that force him and several teammates to take a separate plane to Lexington on Friday.

Tebow, cornerback Joe Haden, safety Major Wright and others were isolated on a separate plane Friday according to a person familiar with Florida’s travel plans. They rejoined the top-ranked Gators at the hotel, and all were listed as active for the game. The person, who requested anonymity, was not authorized to discuss players’ health.

Tebow appeared energized while running onto the field for Florida’s first series. His presence was booed lustily by Kentucky fans eager to end a 22-game losing streak to the Gators. He hardly looked tired while ripping off a 29-yard gain on the game’s third play.

Tebow arrived at Commonwealth Stadium with the rest of the top-ranked Gators about two hours before kickoff against the Wildcats. The senior was one of the last players off the bus. Wearing a shiny gray suit, his cheeks appearing a little flushed in the muggy conditions, Tebow received a hug from coach Urban Meyer before ducking in to the visitors locker room.

He took the field about an hour before kickoff, jogging in uniform alongside backup quarterback John Brantley before starting his typical warmup regimen.

Florida has been battling illnesses for the last three weeks, and Meyer estimated that more than 35 players have been sick during that stretch.

Running back Jeff Demps, defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, linebacker A.J. Jones and tight end Aaron Hernandez — all starters — were among the players isolated in the last 10 days because of flulike symptoms.

Haden and Wright missed practice Thursday, but Meyer said he expected both to play against the Wildcats. The person familiar with Florida’s travel plans said the health of all three has improved since arriving in Lexington.

The person said everyone on the team’s expected travel roster made the trip, including receivers coach Billy Gonzales. He was sent home early in the week, but he returned and wore gloves and a mask at practice.

Meyer said earlier in the week there was no chance he would rest sick players.

“That’d be one of the major errors in coaching history to go do that, because you’d go lose,” he said. “No. Absolutely not. We’re going to bring everything and go as hard as we can. That gets you out of the profession, those kind of thoughts. You go as hard as you can.

“The good thing is I’ve got a mature group. Not a whole lot of cheerleading going on this week. Got to get better and go play.”

The Gators beat Tennessee 23-13 last Saturday, a disappointing victory for the heavily favored Gators. Meyer partially blamed the conservative game plan on the illnesses. Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin indicated that Meyer was using the illnesses as an excuse to justify a less-than-dominating performance.

AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Gainesville, Fla., contributed to this report.