The University of Houston will be without two starters on defense for the rest of the season after middle linebacker Derrick Mathews and cornerback Lee Hightower suffered leg injuries in Saturday's win against Memphis, coach Tony Levine said.

Mathews, a defensive captain and the active leader in career tackles in the Football Bowl Subdivision, tore the ACL in his left knee, additional tests revealed Monday afternoon.

Hightower suffered an undisclosed leg injury.

The two season-ending injuries are a major blow for a unit that has been among the most productive in the nation this season under defensive coordinator David Gibbs, ranking second in takeaways and 19th in total defense and scoring defense.

Mathews, a senior from North Shore, finishes his career fifth on UH's all-time tackles list with 400 and tied for sixth with 43 tackles for loss. Both totals are tops among active FBS players.

"It's a big hole to fill," Gibbs said of Mathews. "I don't know that we can fill it, to be honest with you."

Hightower had one interception and three pass breakups in six starts this season. He is a junior and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Elandon Roberts will start at middle linebacker, while the Cougars plan to use a rotation of players - among them Brandon Wilson, Howard Wilson and Turon Walker - at Hightower's spot.

With Hightower also playing some safety, UH plans to add depth by pulling off the redshirt from Khalil Williams, a true freshman from High-tower.

Fisher: Winstonto keep playing

Coach Jimbo Fisher said Florida State's Jameis Winston has committed no crime and is adamant the quarterback will not miss any games this season due to an ongoing sexual assault investigation.

"There is no victim because there was no crime," Fisher said. "We're convicting a guy over things that are not true, based on evidence."

A former FSU student accused Winston of raping her in December 2012. The Florida state attorney's office announced in December 2013 that it would not pursue charges against Winston, citing insufficient evidence. Now Winston is facing a hearing to determine whether he violated four sections of the school's code of conduct, two for sexual misconduct and two for endangerment.

Odds and ends

Buffalo fired coach Jeff Quinn, who was 3-4 this season and 20-36 in four-plus seasons. The Bulls had their best season under Quinn last year, going 8-5. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Alex Wood was elevated to interim coach. … Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld will undergo season-ending surgery on his injured left shoulder. True freshman Chris Covington will inherit the starting role. … North Carolina State suspended seven players for Saturday's game against Louisville for their involvement in a BB gun incident. The players include two starters - linebacker Jerod Fernandez and safety Josh Jones. … Jeff Driskel is likely to start but will share quarterback duties with Treon Harris when Florida hosts Missouri. … Texas A&M-Kingsville fired coach David Calloway and named offensive line coach Jaime Martinez the interim coach. Calloway went 1-5 this season and 2-8 in 2013.

From staff and wire reports