Hurricanes Have Full Contact Scrimmage

March 25, 2000

CORAL GABLES, FL — The University of Miami football team continued spring practice, with a one hour and 30 minute scrimmage in helmets and full pads, at Cobb Stadium on the UM campus.

Following pre-practice warm-ups, the team broke off into their respective position groups to work on fundamental drills. After the position workouts, the team went into a full contact 11-on-11 scrimmage.

During the scrimmage, the first and second team offenses and defenses competed against each other for several series.

After the practice, head coach Butch Davis gave his thoughts about the scrimmage.

“The scrimmage, with both units, was clearly dominated by the defense. The first defensive unit absolutely controlled the scrimmage. Their intensity, their attitude, their toughness, the way they swarmed and the way they controlled the line of scrimmage, they clearly set the tempo for the entire day. It was a total defensive domination for the entire scrimmage.”

Coach Davis also addressed the play of his defense during both the scrimmage and throughout the spring.

Dan Morgan just flew around and made plays sideline to sideline. Damione Lewis and Adrian Wilson have just absolutely dominated all of our contact drills almost all spring. Their presence inside has really been a plus. They’re knocking the piles back and really establishing the line of scrimmage. The linebackers are playing well and the secondary has just been smothering. Leonard Myers and Mike Rumph are really making it difficult for our receivers to make plays.”

Davis also discussed the Hurricanes quarterback situation.

“I think they’re (Ken Dorsey and Ethenic Sands) both making strides. There is no doubt in my mind that they are both much better quarterbacks now than they were seven practices ago. Ethenic’s huddle presence has improved and Ken’s command of our offense is much better.”The Hurricanes will resume practice on Tuesday, March 28 at 3:00 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Facility on the Coral Gables Campus.

Spring Practice will conclude with CanesFest and the annual Spring Game at the Orange Bowl on Saturday, April 8. This year’s CanesFest will feature the unveiling of the Hurricanes new uniforms for the 2000 season. Events for CanesFest will include season-ticket select-a-seat, “Ask the Coach” session, Fun Zone interactive area and an autograph session following the game with Hurricane players and coaches.

For ticket information for the upcoming 2000 college football season, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Box Office at 1-800-GO CANES or (305) 284-CANES in Dade County.