CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Top-ranked Miami will be without wide receiver Kevin Beard and backup defensive end Cornelius Green for the rest of the season.

Both players tore anterior cruciate ligaments in their right knees, coach Larry Coker said Friday. Beard and Green were helped off the field in the second quarter of Thursday night's 28-21 victory over No. 17 Pittsburgh, and tests Friday confirmed the seriousness of the injuries.

"That's a blow to our football team, and a blow to them,'' Coker said.

Beard, a junior, is third on the team in receiving with 23 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Without him, the Hurricanes will turn to senior Ethenic Sands and freshman Roscoe Parrish.

Green, one of six seniors on Miami's highly regarded defensive line, has 35 tackles, six sacks and 10 quarterback hurries.

Center Brett Romberg and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork also were injured against the Panthers. Coker said Romberg was fine. Wilfork, meanwhile, bruised his calf and might miss some practice time next week, but Coker said he should be ready for Miami's game next Saturday at Syracuse.