Miami Football Focuses On Florida State
Oct. 5, 1999
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 19th ranked University of Miami football team held a90-minute workout in full pads on Tuesday afternoon at the GreentreePractice Facility. With the practice, the Hurricanes continued preparationfor their matchup with top ranked Florida State on Saturday, October 9 inTallahassee, FL.
Following the practice, Head Coach Butch Davis called the practiceone of Miami’s best workouts over the past month.
“Today was one of the best practices we’ve had maybe since the week of OhioState (August 29),” said Davis. “From a focus and concentration standpointit was very good. We did a good job of concentrating on the little thingswhile having a real sense of urgency. We’re still not ready to the play thegame and still have work to do, but it was good.”
Earlier in the day at the coach’s weekly press conference, Davis spoke ofthe excitement surrounding the Miami-Florida State rivalry.
“This is always an exciting week,” said Davis. “I think anytime our footballprogram gets the chance to play Florida State it generates a tremendousamount of enthusiasm in the community. I’ve been asked many times whatmakes the Miami-Florida State rivalry such a big rivalry for the last 20years. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that so many of theseplayers know each other so well. A high percentage of these players playedwith or against each other in high school. Certainly, the implications thatthe game has had since 1982 or 1983 when both programs hit the nationalscene has meant a lot as well.”
Sophomore running back Najeh Davenport and senior linebacker Michael Smithare both out for the year with right knee injuries. Junior defensive tackleDamione Lewis (right knee sprain), senior defensive end Michael Boireau(right ankle sprain), junior fullback Wilbur Valdez (groin), junior runningback James Jackson (right ankle sprain) and Will McPartland (concussion) areall day-to-day.
The Hurricanes will return to practice on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at theGreentree Practice Facility. Practices are closed to the public.
MIAMI-FLORIDA STATE MEMORY LANE: On November 16, 1991, Miamidefeated Florida State in the game that was called “The Game of the Year”and has since become known as “Wide Right I”. The #2 ranked Hurricanes wentinto Doak Campbell Stadium and upset the #1 ranked Seminoles. Miami struckfirst on a seven-play, 74- yard drive capped by a Stephen McGuire two yardtouchdown run. Florida State then scored 16 unanswered points to take a16-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Miami then came alive and scored thenext ten points to take a 17-16 lead. The game wasn’t over however, untilFSU kicker Gerry Thomas missed a 34-yard field goal attempt that sailed wideright with 25 seconds remaining. This marked Miami’s eighth straight winover a No. 1 ranked opponent.
