The Associated Press

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Miami coach Larry Coker benched tight end Kellen Winslow on Tuesday, punishing the team's top receiver for his behavior on the field.

Winslow will not start Saturday against Syracuse, but Coker said he still will play.

Winslow has been flagged several times for unsportsmanlike conduct this season, including twice in the last two games.

"We've got to understand we can't have that," Coker said. "It hurts our football team. The most pain you can inflict on a player is playing time, so I am going to take away some playing time."

Winslow was penalized 15 yards in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 10-6 loss to Tennessee for taking off his helmet. Afterward, Winslow said his helmet was torn off. He criticized officials in a profanity-laced tirade during which he referred to football as war and himself as a soldier.

Winslow apologized a day later.

He was almost flagged for celebrating a hard block on safety Corey Campbell in the third quarter. In a 31-7 loss to Virginia Tech, he was penalized 15 yards for punching linebacker Brandon Manning.

With Winslow out, backup Kevin Everett will start.

Winslow, the son of Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow Sr., leads the 14th-ranked Hurricanes with 51 catches for 527 yards.

MARYLAND: The Terrapins will be without two of their top running backs Thursday when they host Virginia.

Bruce Perry, the sixth-leading rusher in school history, has been sidelined with a severe ankle sprain. He has been limited by injury this season and has 389 yards on nine carries.

Sammy Maldonado, who has 305 yards on 51 attempts, is out for the season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday.

Josh Allen, who has gained 461 yards on 106 carries, will get most of the work at running back.