Hurricanes lose Walton for season
Miami running back Mark Walton’s season is over, with the 11th-ranked Hurricanes saying Sunday that their leading rusher will need surgery on his right ankle later this week.
Walton got hurt during Saturday’s win at Florida State. Coach Mark Richt would not divulge specifics about the injury.
“I’m not a doctor, but it’ll be a season-ending surgery,” Richt said. “I think that’s pretty clear. I know it’s the type of surgery that guys that have had it recover 100% and never have an issue with that type of thing again. That’s the good news on that type of deal.”
The bad news is this: Walton leads Miami with 428 yards on the ground this season, with three touchdowns.
Travis Homer (25 carries, 207 yards, three touchdowns) now figures to become the starter.
Homer had two big runs for a total of 24 yards on what became Miami’s winning drive at Florida State, playing after Walton went down earlier in the fourth quarter.
The only other running back with a carry for Miami in 2017 is Trayone Gray, who has four for 34 yards. Moving all-purpose player Deejay Dallas to running back is also a possibility.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do yet,” Richt said.
Nittany Lions are up to No. 3 in poll
Penn State moved up to No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, and Washington State and Auburn jumped into the top 10 for the first time this season after six ranked teams lost this past weekend.
Alabama and Clemson still hold the top spots. The top-ranked Crimson Tide received 43 first-place votes in the poll released Sunday and the second-ranked Tigers had 18.
The Nittany Lions have their best ranking since 2008, moving up one spot and taking advantage of the biggest upset of the season so far.
Oklahoma lost at home to Iowa State on Saturday, dropping the Sooners from No. 3 to No. 12. Michigan also lost for the first time and fell to No. 17.
Washington State is No. 8 and Auburn moved up to No. 10.
Behind Penn State, Georgia at No. 4 and Washington at No. 5 also moved up one spot after convincing victories. Texas Christian moved up two spots to No. 6, and No. 7 Wisconsin and No. 9 Ohio State round out the top 10.
Late Saturday
Freshman tight end Hunter Bryant had nine catches for 121 yards and an a touchdown, Jake Browning threw for two scores and ran for another, and Washington cruised to a 38-7 victory over California on Saturday night . ... Rashaad Penny ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns to lift San Diego State over Nevada Las Vegas 41-10.
Etc.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney expects injured quarterback Kelly Bryant to practice later in the week to try and prepare to face Syracuse on Friday night. Bryant was hurt in the third quarter of Clemson’s win over Wake Forest on Saturday.
Kentucky reserve quarterback Luke Wright says on his Twitter account that examinations “all came back good” after he collapsed on the sideline Saturday night during the Wildcats’ victory over Missouri. Wright collapsed with about 91⁄2 minutes left in the game.