Madonna graduate and WVU redshirt freshman wide receiver Connor Arlia has been released from a South Florida hospital and is expected to be on the sidelines for the Mountaineers Orange Bowl matchup with Clemson Wednesday night.

A fractured fibula and two broken ribs were among the injuries Arlia suffered in a jet ski accident Saturday at the Mountaineers Orange Bowl beach party team event.

Arlia had continued to make a positive impression on Mountaineer coaches leading up to the bowl.

 Sunday, head coach Dana Holgorsen said,  " Connor was practicing alot more and was one of the guys that through bowl practice a young kid gets a lot of reps and he gets better and better. He had gotten a lot better and was backing up Tavon. I'm not going to say he was going to play a bunch, but had put himself in a position where he had improved a bunch and it was unfortunate that this had happened."

During Monday's offensive coaches and players press conference, inside receivers coach Shannon Dawson indicated that had he not been injured, Arlia likely would have seen action in Wednesday night's game.

" His work ethic is unbelievable.  He was getting reps due to the fact that Tyler has been hurt.  We've had some other kids hurt.  So with those reps and his work ethic, he has been improving.  It's unfortunate because the kid is sitting in a situation as a true freshman that he'd probably get some reps in the game, in an Orange Bowl game.  So unfortunate for him.   But he's got a long career.  The injury he's got, he's going to heal up, so he'll be fine. "

Arlia played in two early season games before it appeared the team was going to redshirt him, which will certainly happen now. He'll have four years of eligibility remaining.

Sunday night, Arlia sent NEWS9 an email thanking those in the Ohio Valley for their support so far.

" I would like to say thank you to the Ohio Valley, especially the city of Weirton for all the texts, calls, and prayers my family and I have been receiving during this time.  Yesterday we had a team jet skiing outing and I was in an unfortunate accident.  Considering the accident, I am blessed and fortunate to come out with only a fractured Fibula, two broken ribs, a contusion to the lung and a very small tear on my kidney.  I was looking forward to getting my first slot receiver action in the Orange Bowl but God willing the doctors will release me to stand on the sidelines to root on my teammates.  The doctors anticipate only a 6 week recovery period which will enable me to be in full force for spring practice.  Again, I am truly blessed and my family and I appreciate all your continued prayers and support. "

Thank  you and God bless -

Connor Arlia