Two-A-Days Continue With Spirited Workouts
Aug. 18, 2000
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami football team had a pair of spirited practice sessions on Friday as preparations for the 2000 season opener against McNeese State continued with two-a-day workouts at the Greentree Practice Field on the UM campus.
The morning session was in full pads and involved some situational scrimmaging. The Hurricanes worked out in shorts and helmets without pads in the afternoon practice focusing on execution of the two-minute offense. Runningback Najeh Davenport, sidelined two days with slight injuries, returned to non-contact action while receiver Santana Moss remained limited with a sore hamstring. Both players should be ready for action for the opener against McNeese State on August 31. Only one new injury was reported, an ankle sprain suffered by freshman wide receiver Kevin Beard.
“I thought we had a really spirited couple of practices,” head coach Butch Davis said. “You wonder about your team sometimes, when they are suffering some of the bumps and bruises, whether they have the mental toughness to push through the end of two weeks of two-a-days. I thought our guys flew around. We’re still adding some things and we’ve been mentally challenging the guys.”
Davis mentioned the progress of the team’s linebackers as one of the most positive developments of fall drills to date.
“One of the most intriguing developments has been the development of some of our linebackers,” Davis said. “Sheven Marshall has had an outstanding training camp. He’s been totally devoted to try to work himself into the lineup. Kenny Dangerfield has done an outstanding job and Jarrell Weaver is doing an excellent job. One thing that is becoming obvious is our depth and strength at linebacker. That’s going to be a good, solid group.”
Practices will continue Saturday with a scrimmage slated for 8:30 a.m. followed by a 5 p.m. practice. All practices are closed to the public. For ticket information for Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-2263 or 1-800-GO-CANES. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.hurricanesports.com.
