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Hurricanes Focus On Gator Bowl Gameplan

Hurricanes Focus On Gator Bowl Gameplan

Dec. 21, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami football team (8-4, 6-1 BIG EAST)held a 90-minute workout in full pads on Tuesday afternoon at the GreentreePractice Facility. With the practice, the 23rd ranked Hurricanes continuedtheir preparation for the Toyota Gator Bowl vs. No. 15 Georgia Tech (8-3,5-3 ACC) at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. Earlier in the day at his weekly press conference, Head Coach Butch Davisdiscussed Miami’s progress in preparing for Georgia Tech.

“I’ve been really pleased with the attitude of our kids inpractice,” said Davis. “They’ve been practicing extremely hard and with agood attitude. Some of that has to do with keeping the practices short.The game-plan installation should be about 80 to 85 percent complete by theend of tomorrow morning’s practice. Last week, we implemented the gameplanin standard terms. This week, we are working on some of the nuances of thegameplan such as the red zone, the two-minute drill and a few other things.When we get to Jacksonville next week, we’ll try to polish everything up,while leaving a small portion of the gameplan to be worked on. Most of thehard physical work will be done here (in Coral Gables).”

Davis also spoke of the matchup between the Hurricane defense andthe Georgia Tech offense, led by quarterback Joe Hamilton.

“I think our defense is playing with confidence,” said Davis. “Oneof things that you must have to give you any chance of stopping aquarterback like Joe Hamilton is team defensive speed. I think our playersrecognize that that is one of our strengths. We have linebackers that runwell, our defensive line runs well, and our secondary runs well. I thinkour kids run well enough and that our scheme will give us the chance to makesome plays. Now it will boil down to execution and how well we tackle.”

Sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly (sprained MCL in left knee)practiced in the majority of drills. Freshman running back Jarrett Payton(right ankle) and sophomore linebacker Sheven Marshall (neck burner) bothparticipated in limited work on Wednesday. Sophomore running back NajehDavenport and senior linebacker Michael Smith are both expected to be outfor the year with right knee injuries.

Miami returns to practice with a short workout on Wednesday morning.Following Wednesday’s practice, the team will be dismissed for four days forthe Holidays, before reconvening in Jacksonville on December 26. Tickets for the Toyota Gator Bowl are available at the Hurricane TicketOffice. Call (305) 284-CANES or 1-800-GO-CANES to purchase tickets or formore information.