College Football

QB Drew Barker to miss 'significant' time with back injury

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Kentucky coach Mark Stoops says sophomore quarterback Drew Barker will miss ''significant'' time with a back injury that won't require surgery.

Barker started the Wildcats' first three games but was injured on their first series in last week's contest against New Mexico State. He did not return. Stoops said after Wednesday's practice that Barker saw a specialist who recommended rest for ''two, three, four weeks'' instead of surgery before being evaluated.

Barker's injury means junior Stephen Johnson will make his first start for the Wildcats (1-2, 0-1) in Saturday night's Southeastern Conference game against South Carolina (2-1, 1-1). Johnson shook off a rocky start to complete 17 of 22 passes for a career-high 310 yards and three touchdowns to help the Wildcats earn a wild 62-42 victory.

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AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org