Walton to undergo season-ending ankle surgery

A day after their thrilling, emotional win over rival Florida State, the Miami Hurricanes have lost one of their biggest playmakers for the season.

Running back Mark Walton, a preseason All-ACC pick and the Hurricanes leading rusher, will undergo surgery on his right ankle, which he re-injured in the Hurricanes’ 24-20 win Saturday.

On his day-after teleconference with reporters, Miami coach Mark Richt did not give specifics on the nature of Walton’s injury, but said his upcoming surgery was “season ending.”

“I know it’s a type of surgery that guys that have had it have recovered 100 percent and haven’t had an issue with that type of thing again,” Richt said. “That’s the good news on that type of deal.”

Walton, a junior who was expected to help carry Miami’s offense, has rushed for 428 yards and three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ four wins. He injured his ankle in Miami’s 53-20 win over Toledo on Sept. 23, but returned in that game to post a career-high 204 yards.

The injury, though, has nagged him since. He left Miami’s game against Duke early, and Saturday had to be carted off the field, his ankle heavily bandaged.

As to what the Hurricanes will do now without Walton, Richt conceded he wasn’t sure.

Backup running back Travis Homer, a former Oxbridge Academy standout, will likely step into the starting role. Homer has played well behind Walton, rushing for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

“He’s done very well. He’s done well as a runner, he’s done unbelievably well as a special teamer,” Richt said of Homer. “He was our special teams player of the week just this week. … He loves playing special teams. He doesn’t want to come off of them, he’s been a starter on all four since he’s been here, but we’ll probably cut it down a little bit. But he’s capable of doing both extremely well.”

Richt also said the Hurricanes may give DeeJay Dallas, a highly touted member of Miami’s recruiting class, time at running back, as well.