Miami quarterback Emory Williams injury update

University of Miami quarterback Emory Williams, who was taken to a Tallahassee hospital Saturday evening after sustaining a severe left-arm injury late in the Hurricanes’ loss at No. 4 Florida State, flew back with the team to Miami, UM announced Sunday morning in a statement.

“Miami quarterback Emory Williams suffered a left arm injury during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game and was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital,’’ the statement said. “He flew back with the team Saturday night.

“We will update his status when we have more information.’’

Williams, a right-handed true freshman, did not have surgery before leaving Tallahassee, but CaneSport reported Sunday through a source that he has a compound fracture and is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday.

Williams was injured on fourth-and-2 from the UM 20, with 2:56 left. He scrambled for the first down and extended his arms as he crashed hard to the ground, his right arm clutching the football and his left arm taking the brunt of the impact. The quarterback was immediately surrounded by coaches and players and medical personnel as a paramedic sprinted onto the field and placed the arm in some type of thick, black protective device. Williams was crying as he was carted toward the Doak Campbell Stadium tunnel, placed in an ambulance and driven to the hospital.

UM coach Mario Cristobal immediately after the game said it was a “significant injury,’’ but otherwise did not elaborate.

Williams finished 8 of 23 (34.7 percent) for 175 yards and two passing touchdowns to Jacolby George in UM’s 27-20 loss. He was sacked twice. Saturday was Williams’ fifth game this season, meaning he will be unable to attain redshirt status for next season, when he will be a sophomore.

“Gutsy. Tough,’’ UM coach Mario Cristobal said of Williams’ performance. “Was a little bit nervous early when it first started and then settled in. Made some big throws, some gutsy runs, as well, particularly the one where he got hurt on. But he also had the scramble where he got the first down [and] we ended up tying the game. [He] kept the drive going.

“All in all, I know statistically, it’s not exactly [great], but he made a spectacular throw to Jacolby and made some other key throws. Some others he’d like to have back. One, [when his pass hit] the official, right in the middle.”

Fourth-year junior Tyler Van Dyke, UM’s veteran starting quarterback who was replaced Saturday by new starter Williams, replaced the injured Williams and led the Canes to two first downs but was intercepted with less than a minute left to seal FSU’s victory. Van Dyke’s recent on-field struggles, coupled with injuries to his right knee, ribs and back, led to Williams’ promotion.

It will likely be a battle between Van Dyke and sophomore Jacurri Brown to start at least the final two regular-season games. Brown, who played in five games last year and started two of them, hasn’t played this season. He will retain his redshirt status this year regardless of how much he plays to conclude the season.

“He’s doing well,’’ Cristobal said of Brown, who in the past has struggled with his accuracy. “I would say he was even on the docket to play regardless of the situation. We felt this was the best move for our team, to start Emory. And should Emory have gotten hurt, that Tyler was [next], because Tyler had a really good week of practice.’’

UM outgained FSU 335 yards to 322. The Canes’ run defense was smothering, allowing only 57 yards rushing after accounting for UM’s three sacks (for 39 yards lost).

Cristobal was especially effusive about George, who had a career-best 153 receiving yards — 131 after the catch — and the two touchdowns on five receptions.

“Jacolby George played big, man,” the coach said. “Showed that he is elusive, can make people miss. Obviously, that one catch in traffic where he ends up taking it the distance, a lot of concentration involved there. Got to keep finding ways to get him the ball.”

Cristobal’s take

Cristobal was asked if the game showed significant development from last year, when FSU beat the Hurricanes 45-3.

“Of course it does,’’ Cristobal said. “Let’s call it what it is. No one wants to write the story of the state of the program upon arrival, right? But I know the state of the program upon arrival, and I know all the things that a lot of people have worked on at getting after and improving. Yes, gaps are closing. People are getting better. There’s a lot of development, a lot of improvement. And I do appreciate the question — I don’t mean to come across angry — we came here to win.

“We didn’t come here for a consolation prize.”

“The gap has closed. A lot of improvement. Certainly, a lot of development. That certainly fires you up, and we’ve got to keep going... Our guys in there understand that as we put it more and more together, it’s going to be really hard to stop us. Encouraged, fired up, a lot of progress, more progress to come, more guys on the mend, player development, recruiting, talent acquisition, but in Year 2, there’s no doubts. Significant progress.”

The Hurricanes (6-4, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) will return to Hard Rock Stadium for their next game against No. 9 Louisville (9-1, 6-1) at noon Saturday in UM’s home finale.

After that, Miami ends the regular season the day after Thanksgiving at Boston College. That game also is slated for noon.