Cleveland among banged-up Gators

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two of UF’s top receivers are nursing injuries after Saturday night’s win at Kentucky.

Sophomore Tyrie Cleveland, the team’s leading receiver, “tweaked” his shoulder, coach Jim McElwain said. Senior Brandon Powell, who scored fourth-quarter touchdowns the past two weeks, injured his ribs during the fourth quarter and is “pretty sore,” McElwain said. Defensive tackle Khairi Clark injured a calf muscle. “It was more than a cramp,” McElwain said. Senior back-up linebacker Cristian Garcia is nursing a shoulder injury.

Garcia played a key role during the Gators’ 28-27 win after sophomore linebacker Vosean Joseph was ejected in the first half for targeting Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson as he slid to the ground.

Through three games, the Gators’ defensive backfield has struggled to meets its lofty reputation. Key veterans had critical errors at Kentucky. Fifth-year senior safety Nick Washington was caught flat-footed on a 14-yard pass from Johnson to Blake Bone. Later, Johnson burned fifth-year senior cornerback Duke Dawson in the back of the end zone with a perfect throw on a fade route to Garrett Johnson.

UF sophomore safety Chauncey Gardner continued to miss routine tackles, taking bad angles and losing his footing. On Kentucky’s first touchdown drive, Gardner missed two tackles and UF missed four total.

Next game: No. 21 UF vs. Vanderbilt, Saturday, noon, ESPN FSU REPORT