Hurricanes Begin Gator Bowl Preparation
Dec. 15, 1999
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team (8-4, 6-1 BIG EAST)returned to practice with a 90-minute workout in full pads on Thursdayafternoon at the Greentree Practice Facility. With the practice, the 23rdranked Hurricanes began preparation for the Toyota Gator Bowl vs. No. 15Georgia Tech (8-3, 5-3 ACC) at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. Following the workout, Head Coach Butch Davis was pleased with the team’sfirst practice since the conclusion of the regular season on December 4, 11days ago.
“I think it was a good start,” said Davis. “Obviously, it will bean on-going process to get ready for the bowl game. Today was somewhat of ageneric day. We did a little orientation on Georgia Tech’s formations. Asthe days go on, we’ll certainly implement a little more.”
Davis also spoke of the return of sophomore quarterback Kenny Kellywho missed the final three games of the regular season with a left kneesprain. Kelly practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday for the first timesince suffering the injury at Virginia Tech on November 13.
“Kenny Kelly did some things today in the conditioning drills, someof the throwing drills, as well as some of the one-on-one drills,” saidDavis. “At least what today showed us is exactly where he is (in hisreturn).”
Sophomore running back Najeh Davenport and senior linebackerMichael Smith are both expected to be out for the year with right kneeinjuries. Sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly (sprained MCL in left knee),senior offensive tackle Robert Hall (right ankle sprain), freshman runningback Jarrett Payton (right ankle) and sophomore linebacker Sheven Marshall(neck burner) all participated in limited work on Wednesday.Tickets for the Toyota Gator Bowl are available at the Hurricane TicketOffice. Call (305) 284-3244 or 1-800-GO-CANES to purchase tickets or formore information.
DAVENPORT HONORED FOR WORK IN COMMUNITY: Sophomore running back NajehDavenport was honored on Wednesday as Scholarship Builder 2000’s “Volunteerof the Year” for his work with high school students in the program. In1999, Davenport volunteered over 150 hours in community service to theprogram. Scholarship Builder 2000 was a program that began in 1988 byMerrill Lynch with the purpose of providing 25 then-first-grade studentswith $100,000 college scholarships upon graduation from high school in 2000.
