Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow released from hospital with concussion

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was released from Kentucky Chandler Medical Center after spending the night under observation for a head injury sustained during the third quarter of Saturday night's 41-7 win over the Wildcats.

Gators coach Urban Meyer said CT scans concluded Tebow has a concussion, but that the 22-year-old senior was "doing fine" Sunday morning. Tebow was flown back to Gainesville in the afternoon.

"Our medical and athletic training staff will continue to monitor him to determine how much rest and recovery he needs," Meyer said. "We will have additional information and updates this week."

The Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC) are scheduled to practice in a limited capacity this week because they do not play until Oct. 10 at No. 4 LSU (4-0, 1-0). If Tebow has a Grade II concussion out of a possible three grades, he might return to action after a week of rest. A Grade III might make him unavailable for LSU.

Redshirt sophomore John Brantley said he's "mentally ready" to make his first career start for the top-ranked Gators. He replaced Tebow and completed 4 of 6 passes for 30 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown to Riley Cooper in the fourth quarter.

Craig Howard, Tebow's former high school coach at Jacksonville Nease and a close family friend, told the Orlando Sentinel he got word from Tebow's parents, Bob and Pam, that the concussion is "mild" or "normal." Howard noted that the Tebows would have stayed at the hospital longer if there was serious brain swelling or bleeding, common results of severe concussions.

Florida was leading 31-7 with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter when Tebow was sacked by right defensive end Taylor Wyndham. As he fell backward, Tebow's helmet struck the leg of 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert, violently bending Tebow's neck forward.

He lay motionless for two to three minutes then was helped to his feet and walked off with the aid of UF medical personnel. He was examined on the sideline, and his parents came down from the stands to join him. Tebow started vomiting — a common symptom of concussions — and was carted off, then transported by ambulance to the hospital.

To fans and the media wondering why the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, who ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 103 yards and a score in the game, was not on the bench with UF up by 24 points, Meyer said: "I was getting close. Once again, it's not over until it's over. But we were getting close."

Meanwhile, players and coaches said the play on which Tebow was injured, third and 6 from the Kentucky 9, was a designed play that went wrong and not a missed blocking assignment.

"There was pressure and he is supposed to roll to the right and get out quick, but he didn't and he got hit," junior offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey said. "It was no one's fault."

Wyndham said he was surprised the left-handed Tebow didn't see him coming. "I think he was looking downfield when it happened," Wyndham said.

STILL NO. 1: The Gators remained atop the coaches poll, with 58 of 59 first-place votes. Texas received one first-place vote. The Gators were unanimous last week in the poll used to determine the BCS standings. UF got 55 first-place votes in the media poll, No. 2 Texas one and No. 3 Alabama four.

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes,com or (813) 226-3389.