Injuries might end season for Miami Hurricanes specialists

The University of Miami football team could lose two players to injury for an extended period — possibly the rest of the season.

Starting long snapper and reserve fullback Ronnie Regula was helped off the field Saturday in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati with an apparent right-leg injury.

And former starting kicker Matt Goudis, who had a back injury in the offseason and is apparently still in pain, might apply for a medical waiver, Hurricanes coach Al Golden indicated Monday.

Golden did not specify Regula’s injury during a teleconference, but said the situation was serious.

“Ronnie’s injury is significant,” Golden said. “I don’t know what it all entails yet. Once we figure that out we’ll release that.”

Regula is a 6-2, 240-pound senior walk-on out of Miami Palmetto High. He has played in six games and will be replaced by junior snapper Frank Gabriel.

“This has always been my dream school,” Regula said during fall camp.

“Just trying to see the field as much as I can. This is my last season. I don’t really consider myself a walk-on — the guys have taken me in and the coaches have taken me in.”

Goudis, a redshirt junior, was clearly affected by his injury earlier this season. He came into the FAMU game on Sept. 6 having connected on nine consecutive field goals, then missed two of four attempts against the Rattlers.

Last season, Goudis hit 13 of 17 field goals and all 57 of his extra points.

“I wish I had more on Matt right now,” Golden said, indicating that his physical ailment “is just absolutely hindering his return.

“It’s slower than we thought. We’re entering that realm where redshirting is a possibility … Unless he can get cleared here this week, it’s something that we’re going to have to examine.”

Golden said Goudis’ replacement, freshman Mike Badgley, has been doing well. Badgley has made five of his six field-goal attempts, including a 42-yarder against Cincinnati. He has made 19 of his 21 extra-point attempts.

In other injury news, Golden reiterated that former starting right tackle Taylor Gadbois (knee) is “a little closer’’ to returning than freshman backup right tackle Kc McDermott (knee). He said Gadbois “should be able to give it a try” and return to practice by the end of the week.

Williams update

Golden was asked about fifth-year senior quarterback Ryan Williams’ reaction to playing for the first time Saturday since tearing an ACL in early April, and whether he might be frustrated because his playing time will be limited with Brad Kaaya the starter.

“I think it’s human nature to be disappointed, but Ryan is a winner, a leader and he’s not going to get frustrated, he’s not going to get discouraged and he’s just going to keep moving forward,” Golden said. “Whatever adversity he’s had in his life he’s handled it with the same class and fortitude, and that’s what he’s doing here right now.

“I’m happy for him that he got in the game. In and of itself it’s a big deal because it still is a very, very quick recovery for him to be able to get in. Hopefully, he’ll be able to build on that this week and throughout the rest of the season.”

This story was originally published October 13, 2014 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Injuries might end season for Miami Hurricanes specialists."