Miami Set To Battle Rutgers
Nov. 18, 1999
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team (5-4, 3-1 BIG EAST)held a 90-minute workout in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts on Thursdayafternoon at the Greentree Practice Facility. With the practice, theHurricanes wrapped up the majority of its game-week preparations for thisSaturday’s homecoming game with Rutgers (1-9, 1-5 BIG EAST) at the OrangeBowl.
Following the practice, Head Coach Butch Davis was pleased with thepractice that involved its typical Thursday focus on special teams.
“Today was another solid practice,” said Davis. “Like everyThursday of a game week, we spent a good portion of our focus on specialteams. Throughout the week, we work on special teams on a daily basis.Thursdays are the culmination of our special teams work. We go over all ofthe possible situations on Thursdays.”
Davis also spoke of the progress of true freshman Ken Dorsey who is expectedto start in place of sophomore Kenny Kelly (sprained left MCL). Davisexplained that Dorsey absorbed much of the team’s offense while gettingpractice repetitions the week of the West Virginia game (October 30) whenKelly was limited with an ankle injury.
“Two weeks ago in preparing for West Virginia, Ken Dorsey handled themajority of snaps when Kenny (Kelly) was injured,” said Davis. “That workis paying off now. We’ll rely on his ability to throw. He has a good armand is a smart kid.”
Sophomore running back Najeh Davenport and senior linebacker MichaelSmith are both expected to be out for the year with right knee injuries.Sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly (sprained MCL in left knee) and juniorrunning back James Jackson (right knee sprain) are day-to-day. The Hurricanes will hold a walk-thru on Friday at the Greentree PracticeFacility. Practices are closed to the public.
RING OF HONOR: University of Miami athletic director Paul Deeannounces the selection of Hurricane football greats Ottis Anderson, DonBosseler, Bernie Kosar and Burgess Owens for induction into UM’s Ring ofHonor. The four will have their names and jerseys permanently affixed fordisplay on the face of the Orange Bowl’s upper deck at the Miami-Rutgersgame on November 20. Anderson (1975-78) became the first player in Miamihistory to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season (1,266, 1978) and isUM’s all-time career rushing leader. Bosseler (1953-56), a fullback,finished his career with 1,642 rushing yards which at the time ranked secondon the Miami career chart. Kosar (1982-84) guided the Hurricanes to theirfirst of four National Championships in 1983 and set school records for passattempts (416), pass completions (262) and passing yards (3,642) in 1984.Owens (1970-72), who earned All-American honors in 1972 as a defensive back,finished his UM career with 160 tackles and eight interceptions. The Ringof Honor was established in 1997 as a way to recognize the outstandingplayers that have passed through the Hurricane Football Program. This year’sclass becomes the second group to be inducted joining the ’97 class of JimDooley, George Mira, Sr., Ted Hendricks, and Vinny Testaverde.
TAKE A KID TO THE GAME: As part of the national “Take A Kid to the Game”program, the University of Miami will provide one free youth ticket(children 13 and under) with every full-priced adult ticket purchased forSaturday’s game vs. Rutgers at the Orange Bowl. “Take a Kid to the Game”tickets can only be purchased on the day of the game, beginning at 10:00a.m. at the NE Ticket Plaza of the Orange Bowl. This year’s ‘Take a Kid tothe Game’ program will promote youth attendance at over 100 football and 300women’s basketball institutions across the nation. For more information,contact the University of Miami Athletic Department Community RelationsOffice at 305-284-4609.
