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Miami Hurricanes' Jason Fox out for Saturday's game at South Florida

Jason Fox has started 47 games in his career at left tackle for the Hurricanes, but it's doubtful he'll play in his last regular season game Saturday when UM takes on the University of South Florida.

Fox missed Wednesday's practice and was taken to the hospital with an undisclosed illness according to a source. He was released and was back on the sidelines at Greentree Practice Field when the Hurricanes practiced Wednesday afternoon and told teammates and coaches he was ``fine.''

But according to UM's injury report released Thursday morning, Fox likely will miss only the third game of his career Saturday. Fox sat out a 2006 game against Boston College with an elbow injury, and didn't play against Virginia Tech last season because of a sprained ankle.

Tough end to stellar career for Miami Hurricanes' Jason Fox

For four years, University of Miami left tackle Jason Fox surely was the Hurricanes' most dependable -- and durable -- player.

He started 12 games as a true freshman, 12 games as a sophomore, 12 games as a junior and until the regular-season finale at South Florida, 11 games as a senior.

But one game shy of suiting up for the final time as a Hurricane, Fox has ended his college career. UM coach Randy Shannon announced Saturday that Fox underwent surgery on ``a lower extremity'' and will not play in the Champs Sports Bowl against Wisconsin on Dec. 29 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Miami Hurricanes' line must serve and protect

Jason Fox held out his hands like a proud warrior eager to show off his battle scars. From his thumbs to his pinkies, the University of Miami's starting left tackle pointed to each of his fingers that were either broken, mangled or completely exposed without fingernails.

``It's just bumps and bruises,'' grinned Fox, set to make his 45th career start at noon Saturday against Virginia (3-5, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Land Shark Stadium.

``That's football. That's the season. Everybody is beat up. But I'd be lying to you if I told your our bodies didn't feel it going out there and hitting every week. I'm happy coach is taking it a little easier on us in practice now. Because the team that can push through [injuries] and not get complacent is the one that is going to win games down the stretch.''

Miami Hurricanes' Orlando Franklin filling in well at left tackle

No team wants to lose its Most Valuable Player -- especially if that player protects the quarterback's blind side.

But with University of Miami team MVP Jason Fox out of the Champs Sports Bowl, the Hurricanes will turn to big Orlando Franklin to be Jacory Harris' bodyguard on Dec. 29 against Wisconsin.

In doing so, Franklin, the 6-7, 318-pound usual left guard, is expected to be replaced by true freshman Brandon Washington, a Miami Northwestern graduate who protected Harris as a left tackle when both were national champion Bulls in 2007.

Miami Hurricanes' Sean Spence out for Wake Forest game

University of Miami linebacker Sean Spence, one of the Hurricanes' best players on defense, is out for the Saturday game at Wake Forest.

Spence injured what appeared to be his left knee against Clemson last Saturday, went back in the game after halftime but was taken out when it was apparent he was too hobbled to play. He was put in a brace during the game.

UM linebacker Ramon Buchanan said after practice Tuesday morning that the other Hurricanes would have to step up in Spence's absence.