Banged-up Gators struggle against rival Georgia

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Quarterback Tim Tebow's sore shoulder was a big problem for the Florida Gators against Georgia. The young, injury-riddled defense was even more of a concern.

The Gators (5-3, 3-3 SEC) had three defensive linemen injured in Saturday's 42-30 loss to the Bulldogs in Jacksonville, including defensive end Derrick Harvey.

Harvey sustained a hip injury, and defensive tackles Javier Estopinan and Terron Sanders had leg injuries. Florida was already without defensive tackle Brandon Antwine, who recently spent 10 days in the hospital because of a back injury, and defensive tackle Clint McMillan has been limited since injuring his shoulder against Kentucky.

"We have a problem inside right now," Coach Urban Meyer said Sunday as his team dropped nine spots to No. 18 in the latest Associated Press college football poll. "We're banged up. ... We're struggling in there. We're feeling the pains of the late season right now."

Meyer said he was considering using highly touted freshman John Brown on Saturday against Vanderbilt. Brown missed most of fall practice while waiting to be academically cleared by the NCAA, and the Gators had planned to redshirt him.

"We'll know more about that later in the week," Meyer said. "There's a chance that could happen. He's just got to get a lot better."

The defense was gouged for 413 yards Saturday. Knowshon Moreno ran 33 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns, and Matthew Stafford completed 11 of 18 passes for 217 yards and three scores.

Florida's defense, which has been the team's biggest weakness all season, couldn't get off the field on third down (the Bulldogs converted 10 of 13) and gave up five plays of 20 yards or longer. The big plays included an 84-yard TD pass, a 53-yard TD pass and a 42-yard run.

"We didn't play well, run, pass," linebacker Brandon Spikes said. "We just had a bad game."

The offense wasn't much better, especially with Tebow nursing a sore non-throwing shoulder.

The Heisman Trophy hopefulbruised his right shoulder last week at Kentucky and ran just a handful of times against the Bulldogs - all in goal-line formations.

"I called him late last night and he was still numbed up," Meyer said. "They gave him some medicine. ... I imagine it'll still be sore, but I don't think he took a direct shot on it. ... He just doesn't tell you much. He fights through it. He's such a tough guy."

Tebow was sacked six times - he was sacked five times in the previous seven games - and finished with minus-15 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Meyer said he doesn't expect the shoulder injury to limit Tebow's running ability the rest of the season.

"I'm hoping not because thatmakes Tim Tebow different than most other quarterbacks," Meyer said.

Meyer also said he planned to use speedster Percy Harvin more often, especially after running back Kestahn Moore had a crucial fumble early and was part of another fumbled snap later. Harvin ran 10 times for 97 yards against Georgia and caught two passes for 41 yards.

"Percy Harvin is as competitive a person we have and as talented as we have," Meyer said. "I'm going to do some things. I'm thinking it might be 20 (touches) a game. Our goal is always 10-15 times he touches the ball. ... He's as dynamic a player as there is in the game, so I'm thinking he might need to carry the ball some more."

Sports, Pages 20 on 10/29/2007

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