Injuries mount for Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky lost running back Derrick Locke for the season when an MRI showed torn knee ligaments Monday, a week after the Wildcats lost

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky lost running back Derrick Locke for the season when an MRI showed torn knee ligaments Monday, a week after the Wildcats lost receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. to a similar injury.

And Locke's not the only injured starter for Kentucky. Defensive tackle Myron Pryor and linebacker Micah Johnson are hobbled by high ankle sprains.

"Not good news on the injury front," coach Rich Brooks said.

That just makes Saturday's already daunting challenge against Heisman winner Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators in The Swamp even more difficult.

"They're a team that has as much speed and talent as any team in our conference, which means any team in the country," he said.

The remaining schedule isn't kind to Kentucky (5-2, 2-1 SEC), with matchups against Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Tennessee still to go. The good news is Kentucky now needs just one more win to become eligible for a third straight bowl game after squeaking out a 21-20 comeback victory over Arkansas Saturday.

"You can't help but think if it went the other way what a big blow it would be for the season," said quarterback Mike Hartline, who threw two fourth-quarter TDs to Randall Cobb. "You look at 4-3 and 5-2, and it's just an incredible difference for a team that needs to make a bowl game."