College football

Breakaway back expected to miss rest of the season

CORAL GABLES - Miami's ascension into the national title picture came at a steep price.

The Hurricanes believe Tyrone Moss will miss the rest of the season with what has been diagnosed as torn left knee ligaments, an injury sustained in Saturday night's 27-7 victory over Virginia Tech.

Miami coach Larry Coker said an MRI exam would probably be performed today to determine the severity of Moss' injury, but he sounded certain the junior tailback's season is over.

"Stuff like that really puts a damper on a victory," Coker said Sunday, hours after the Hurricanes returned to campus at 5 a.m. "You hate to see anybody get hurt, our side or their side, especially when it's one of your top players."

Yet there's still much for Miami to celebrate after beating the Hokies for the first time since 2002.

Miami (7-1, 4-1 ACC) jumped two spots to No.3 in the AP poll, its highest ranking in 13 months. And the Hurricanes took control of the Coastal Division; three more wins would assure them a spot in the league's title game against Florida State on Dec.3.

"No one was scared. No one was intimidated," Miami linebacker Jon Beason said. "We knew if we just played our style of football, we'd have no problem."

ALSO AILING: Kick returner and cornerback Devin Hester 's status for Saturday's game at Wake Forest is unknown. He aggravated a hamstring strain in the second quarter.

[Last modified November 7, 2005, 01:10:19]