Kentucky QB Smith out with torn ligament

Maxwell Smith hurt his ankle in a 38-17 loss to South Carolina on Saturday.

Garry Jones/AP

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Kentucky sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith is out indefinitely with a torn left ankle ligament that will require surgery.

Smith injured his ankle on the second play of Saturday night's 38-17 loss to South Carolina. He had missed the previous game at Florida with a separated shoulder.

Wildcats coach Joker Phillips said Monday that he will seek a medical hardship for Smith if he cannot return this season.

The Wildcats (1-4, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) will rotate freshmen Jalen Whitlow and Patrick Towles for Saturday's SEC game against No. 20 Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0).

Whitlow relieved Smith and was 12 of 23 passing for 114 yards, running for a touchdown as Kentucky led 17-7 at halftime. He was intercepted twice and sacked six times as the Gamecocks rallied with 31 unanswered points.

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