UK-Florida notes: Defense plays hurt, shows heart

By Chip Cosby / ccosby@herald-leader.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Several Kentucky defensive starters played through injuries in the 63-5 loss to Florida. Linebackers Braxton Kelley, Micah Johnson and Johnny Williams all missed practice time this week but started the game. Kelley finished with a team-high 11 tackles, but Johnson had a season-low two tackles while Williams wasn't credited with a tackle. Also, cornerback David Jones played through an arm injury and finished with four tackles, while free safety Marcus McClinton (sprained knee) had three.

With UK trailing big in the third quarter and facing a big game next week at Mississippi State, Coach Rich Brooks pulled all of the injured players from the game.

Also, cornerback Trevard Lindley suffered a bruised knee in the second half, and defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin left the game in the third quarter with a strained calf. Lumpkin started in place of Myron Pryor, who was out with a high ankle sprain.

"We're beat up," Brooks said. "We're not a healthy football team. But not many teams are right now, so we can't feel sorry for ourselves."

Lindley gets another pick

Lindley got his fourth inter ception of the season and ninth of his career when he picked off Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the first quarter. It was only the second interception of the season for Tebow.

Seiber place-kicks

Junior Lones Seiber was the No. 1 place-kicker on Saturday, replacing redshirt freshman Ryan Tydlacka.

Tydlacka had been the place-kicker since the Western Kentucky game after beating Seiber out.

Seiber connected on a 27-yard field goal but had a 32-yarder blocked.

Long wait for two points

UK recorded a safety in the fourth quarter on a Flo rida muffed punt attempt. The last time Kentucky recorded a safety was Nov. 18, 2006, against Louisiana-Monroe.