Football Continues Preparations for Buckeyes
Aug. 25, 1999
CORAL GABLES, FL – The 12th ranked University of Miami football teamconducted a two-hour workout in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts onWednesday afternoon at the Greentree Practice Facility. With the workout,the Hurricanes continued preparation for their season opener against No. 9Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic on Sunday, August 29th at 2:30 p.m. atGiants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Miami’s practice involved situational work as well as 7-on-7 and9-on-9 scrimmaging. Following the practice, Head Coach Butch Davis notedthat the first day of classes may have had a bearing on the players’performance at the practice.
“Practice was good,” said Head Coach Butch Davis. “But there weretimes that it was a little bit sloppy. The first day of classes alwaysseems to have an affect on practice.”Davis also spoke of the on and off the field qualities of senior offensiveguard Richard Mercier. Miami is 27-8 when Mercier is in the Hurricanesstarting lineup.
“Richard has set a great standard for performance for offensivelinemen,” said Davis. “He is a 60-minute warrior. He goes full speed onevery snap. “Richard takes a great deal of pride in his preparation and his performance.His leadership is unquestioned. He and Ty Wise (senior center) have pulledthe rest of the offensive line along to the point that we now have 14players who try to practice and prepare the way those guys do. That’s oneof the strengths of this football team – the leadership at the top. Richardmeans a lot to this team.”
Cornerback Delvin Brown (left ankle) missed practice and will not play inthe Ohio State game. There were no other significant injuries to report. Miami will return to practice on Thursday afternoon with a light workout atthe Greentree Practice Facility. Following the practice, the team willdepart to Newark, New Jersey for the Kickoff Classic. The Hurricanes willpractice on Friday afternoon at Giants Stadium after taking a tour of NewYork City and the Statue of Liberty in the morning.
