Tim Tebow sustains concussion during Florida Gators' 41-7 win over Kentucky Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. — When Florida quarterback Tim Tebow didn't move, senior wide receiver David Nelson knew something was terribly wrong.

He has played with Tebow for four seasons. He has seen the senior take hits like nobody else could — and always get up. But Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium was different. Nelson knew it. And so did 71,000 others.

It was a 41-7 blowout victory that might turn out to be more costly than the Gators can afford.

Leading Kentucky 31-7 with just under four minutes left in the third quarter, the Heisman Trophy winner was knocked out of the game thanks to defensive end Taylor Wyndham's ferocious sack. As Tebow fell from the hit, the back of his head slammed into the left knee of 6-5, 320-pound right tackle Marcus Gilbert.

Tebow lay motionless on the ground for approximately 2-3 minutes before he was helped to his feet. He walked off with the help of Florida medical personnel.

The preliminary diagnosis was a concussion.

"I know Tim is on everybody's thoughts and minds, including myself," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "We believe it's a concussion. He got hit pretty good. He hit the back of his head. But that's one tough cat. Our team prayed for him, but he'll be fine."

Tebow was taken to the University of Kentucky hospital for a CAT scan and other tests to determine the extent of his injury.

He was held overnight for precautionary reasons, Florida athletic officials said.

It was a somber end to a weekend filled with drama for the No. 1 Gators that began with the need for two additional airplanes to transport nine sick players, including Tebow.

It was the 23rd consecutive victory for the Gators over the Wildcats. But none of that mattered after the game.

"When I first saw him get hit, I was like, 'Okay, Tim, get up. Get up,' " Nelson said. "Then for a second, I thought he got the wind knocked out of him.

"Then he kept laying there, and I saw the trainers run out there. And they were trying to talk to him and I was like, 'Oh, no.' If he's like that, I knew it must be a real injury. But he got up and walked off the field just like I knew he would. We're all praying for him."

The players gathered on the sideline to pray for Tebow as the medical staff attended to him. The prayers didn't stop there.

"We'll be praying for him all night," offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey said.

When the game ended, Tebow's teammates tried to find the balance between celebrating their 4-0 record (2-0 in the SEC) and fighting the fear of what was going on with their team leader. They gave heartfelt reflections of the minutes immediately following the injury.

"My heart just dropped," senior linebacker Ryan Stamper said. "Just seeing him not moving … just made my heart drop. When he got up, it still kind of was like, 'I've never seen him like that since I've been here.' But when they told me he'll be all right and since we got the bye week, that kind of helps out a lot."

Meyer said he knows some will question why Tebow was still in the game.

"We've been accused of keeping players in (too long), but we're just playing the game," said Meyer who added he was "getting close" to taking Tebow out.

Florida, which is off until playing at LSU on Oct. 3, kicked a 32-yard field goal on the next play. Then backup John Brantley took over for the rest of the game. Although he's trained to be ready in that type of situation, Brantley said it was difficult.

"I was just praying for Tim," he said.

Meyer said as he walked toward Tebow as he lay on the ground, he felt the same anxiety as if he were going out to check on his own son. He said his knees shook as he approached Tebow.

"I grabbed his hand, and he grabbed my hand," Meyer said. "I looked at him, and I said 'How are you doing?' And he said, 'Good.' He asked me, 'Did I hold onto the ball?' Typical Tebow. 'Did I hang onto it?' I said, 'Yeah,' and he said, 'What play was that?' And I said, 'Stick lion.' And he said, 'Okay.'

"And then I looked at him and said, 'It's great to be a Florida Gator.' And he winked at me and said, 'It's great to be a Gator.' "

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