Notebook: Dealing with injuries

Two key Gators underwent minor surgery Monday. But both are expected to play Saturday against Georgia, coach Urban Meyer said.

Starting free safety Major Wright had surgery on his broken thumb while wide receiver Riley Cooper had surgery on a broken finger.

Meyer said he was told Monday that Wright would be able to play despite having to wear a protective cast on his hand. Wright was injured during Florida's 45-37 win over Kentucky. If he can't play, Meyer said senior Kyle Jackson or sophomore Dorian Munroe would take his place.

Cooper, meanwhile, had two screws inserted into his broken finger Monday. Meyer said Cooper would only require a taped finger and not a cast and will play. Cooper injured himself on the second play of the Kentucky game.

"There's not two tougher players I've been around," Meyer said.

In other injury news, offensive tackle Carlton Medder is questionable with a heel injury, also suffered against the Wildcats. Sophomore defensive tackle Brandon Antwine remains unavailable with a back injury.

Starting defensive tackle Clint McMillan injured a shoulder Saturday, but will play.

Vandy kick off at 12:30 p.m.

Florida's homecoming game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 3 will have a 12:30 p.m. kickoff and will be televised by Lincoln Financial. It will mark the Gators' first game at The Swamp since Sept. 29.

Opponents converting fourth downs

Here is another startling fact about the inability of Florida's defense to get opponents off the field: The Gators have allowed their opponents to convert 9-of-10 fourth-down opportunities.

LSU was 5-of-5 on fourth downs while Kentucky converted 4-of-5. For the season, teams have converted 11-of-14 fourth downs against the Gators.

"That can cost you a game and it could have cost us a game Saturday," Meyer said. "It's a concern."

Meyer said it simply comes down to his defense needing to make plays.

"You have to have some confidence to step in front of a player to make a play," Meyer said. "That comes with experience, talent."

Georgia scout team has unique Tebow

Georgia coach Mark Richt has found an innovative way to simulate the strength of Tim Tebow at Georgia's practice this week. Richt said Sunday he plans on using a linebacker on his scout team.

"We probably need to find some linebacker who might have played a little quarterback back in the day and let him do it or a fullback who might have played quarterback back in his day," Richt said. "You could probably get a scout team and just get a big strong kid in there for all the QB runs. He wouldn't necessarily have to throw it too to simulate just the running game of Tebow."

Award mention

Sophomore defensive end Jermaine Cunningham was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week, the league announced Monday.

Cunningham had a career-high 2.5 sacks and seven tackles in Florida's win at Kentucky.

"I don't even think I deserve it," Cunningham said. "I did all right but I could have done a lot better."

Defensive end Derrick Harvey was part of a 17-player trimmed list for the 2007 Lott Trophy, presented by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation of Newport Beach, Calif. Harvey has 6.5 sacks to lead the Gators and has 29 total tackles.

Lemmens enjoying time at UF

Even though he has played sparingly this year and not at all in Florida's last two games, defensive end Duke Lemmens is loving life as a Florida Gator.

The true freshman said he doesn't consider this a wasted year that could have been a redshirt year because he's getting to see the SEC.

“I'll be honest, practice sucks,” Lemmens said. “But Friday, getting on that plane. That's why you work so hard. Kentucky, those fans were so pumped up.

“And LSU, full grown men mooning you. And not just mooning but spreading. I got to know that guy a little too well.”

Manson not in mix at cornerback

Florida hoped Markus Manson could make the transition from running back to cornerback this season. But that doesn't appear to be happening very quickly.

Manson hasn't played since suffering an ankle sprain during Florida's season opener against Western Kentucky.

"There's an athletic young guy who has not had the ability to practice and develop the way we want," Meyer said. "He's getting close to the way, but it's the Tuesday of Georgia week."