Report: Flu bug hits Florida football

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Several players for top-ranked Florida have been hampered recently by the flu bug, the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun reported Sunday.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez was in isolation the day before Saturday's key 23-13 SEC victory over Tennessee.

Coach Urban Meyer told the newspaper that running back Jeff Demps had a 102-degree fever Saturday and had to be taken out of pre-game warm-ups because of the heat.

Demps was able to play and scored a touchdown.

"Just to see Demps go out there and do that (says) he'll give anything for Florida football," offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey told the newspaper.

Pouncey said the illnesses affected the Gators' performance.

Also, a stomach flu forced defensive end Jermaine Cunningham into isolation last week for two days.

"Some of the key players were out (Saturday)," Pouncey added. "I hope it doesn't keep going on. I hope this sickness passes real quick and everybody gets healthy."