Knee Injury Sidelines Miami’s Gore for Season

Miami running back Frank Gore will miss the rest of the season after tests on Friday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Gore, a sophomore and the team’s leading rusher with 89 carries for 468 yards, injured his knee on a 12-yard run in the first quarter of Thursday night’s 22-20 victory over West Virginia.

“We know that with his determination and work ethic he will be back,” Miami Coach Larry Coker said.

A similar injury to his right knee caused Gore to miss all of last season.

Without Gore, the Hurricanes will turn to senior Jarrett Payton, the son of the late Walter Payton, the former Chicago Bear running back and member of the NFL Hall of Fame, and freshman Tyrone Moss. Receiver Jason Geathers also might be returned to tailback.

Payton ran 21 times for 69 yards against West Virginia and caught 10 passes for 71 yards. But he fumbled with about three minutes to play, a turnover that almost cost No. 2 Miami the victory.

The Hurricanes play at No. 5 Florida State Oct. 11.

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Joe O’Brien, a former Montana State assistant coach, pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges in Townsend, Mont. Judge Jeffrey Sherlock also granted permission for O’Brien to travel the state for his new job as a roofer.... Pittsburgh tailback Brandon Miree, who has been slowed because of a deep calf bruise on his right leg, has returned to practice and says he expects to play Oct. 11 against Notre Dame.