Miami’s ascension into the national-title picture came at a steep price.
The Hurricanes believe tailback Tyrone Moss will miss the remainder of the season because of what has been preliminarily diagnosed as torn left knee ligaments. He suffered the injury in Saturday’s 27-7 victory over previously unbeaten Virginia Tech, which lifted the Hurricanes to No. 3 in The Associated Press poll.
Miami coach Larry Coker said an MRI would probably be performed today to determine the severity of Moss’ injury, but sounded certain that the junior’s season was over.
“Stuff like that really puts a damper on a victory,” Coker said Sunday. “You hate to see anybody get hurt, our side or their side, especially when it’s one of your top players.”
Moss’ injury was one of several Saturday night. Kick returner and cornerback Devin Hester’s status for this weekend’s game at Wake Forest is unknown; he aggravated a hamstring strain in the second quarter.
Quarterback Kyle Wright was knocked woozy in the second quarter, causing him to miss a few minutes. And cornerback Kelly Jennings took a hard shot while fielding an onside-kick attempt late in the game.
Polls: Miami jumped over unbeaten Alabama, though just barely, into the No. 3 spot in The Associated Press top 25.
The Hurricanes (7-1) moved up two spots in the media poll behind No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Texas.
Alabama improved to 9-0 with a 17-0 win at Mississippi State, but stayed put in the top 25.
Colorado: Kickoff for Colorado’s game Saturday against Iowa State has been set for 5 p.m. in Ames, Iowa. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net.
Colorado (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) clinches the Big 12 North title with a win. Iowa State (6-3, 3-3) can keep its hopes for a Big 12 North Division title alive with a victory over the Buffs.
For the Cyclones to win the Big 12 North title outright, they need to beat Kansas in their final game of the season; the Buffs must lose to Nebraska; and Missouri has to lose one of its last two games.
Colorado, which rose to No. 22 in The Associated Press poll and No. 21 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, may get two of its better defensive players back in time for the game. Defensive ends Alex Ligon (knee) and Alonzo Barrett (knee) are close to being ready to play.
USC: Matt Leinart passed for 259 yards and four touchdowns, Reggie Bush rushed for 113 yards and another score, and the Trojans (9-0, 6-0 Pac-10) had no trouble extending their conference-record winning streak to 31 games with a 51-21 victory over visiting Stanford late Saturday night.
