Miami Hurricanes QB Stephen Morris' status for Saturday's rivalry game against Florida State is in doubt after he injured his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of the Canes' 18-14 loss against North Carolina this weekend.
UM head coach Al Golden said Sunday that Morris sprained his left ankle, but X-rays of the ankle showed no fracture. Golden added that the sprain is not a high-ankle sprain, which can take several weeks to heal.
"It's the better of the sprains you can get," Golden said.
On the play that hurt his ankle, Morris took an awkward step on his left foot and appeared to twist his ankle. He fell to the turf in pain, and had to be helped to the sideline. The training staff treated him with ice on the sideline, and Morris later left the field in a walking boot.
"We just have no idea of knowing where his health is right now," Golden said. "I don't think I can imagine a scenario where we're not going to try to do whatever we have to do to try to beat Florida State. Our kids deserve everything we've got to try to win this next game."
Morris has been Miami's best player on offense, and the Canes' offense struggled to move the ball when redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams relieved him on Saturday. He completed 9 of 13 passes, but averaged only 6.2 yards per attempt. Should Morris be unable to play this week, Williams will get the start against the Seminoles.
"It's a challenge no matter who's playing for us at quarterback," Golden said. "We'll assess Stephen as the week kind of unfolds, but right now we're going in thinking that Ryan is going to be the guy."
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Morris spent most of Sunday in the UM training room. Golden gave the team a day off from film study, only letting players needing medical treatment inside the football facility.
The Canes have dropped their last two games against Florida State, and have not lost three in a row to the Seminoles since losing five straight from 1995 to 1999.
Morris has completed 154 of 268 passes for 1,991 yards this season, with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Williams has completed 11 of 15 passes for 87 yards in limited action. If Williams starts, freshmen Gary Crow or Preston Dewey will back him up. Neither has played a down for the Canes this season.
