41 Days Until Football Opener Vs. McNeese State

July 20, 2000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

University of Miami Football

The countdown continues as the calendar reaches mid-July: it is only 41 days until the Miami Hurricanes open the 2000 football season against the Cowboys of McNeese State on Thursday, Aug. 31 at the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Miami, which enters the 2000 season ranked among the nation’s best by several preseason publications, returns 14 starters and 49 letterwinners from last season’s 9-4 squad that defeated Georgia Tech, 28-13, to win the Toyota Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day. UM has a 52-20-1 record in home openers entering this season and has won 13 of its last 14 home openers since 1986.

The opener with McNeese State begins a 2000 home schedule that is highlighted by visits from the nation’s No.1 and No. 2 teams from 1999, Florida State and Virginia Tech. After the home opener, UM does not return to the Orange Bowl until October 7 when the Canes host Florida State. The slate closes with four home games in five contests stretching from October 28 to November 25. Louisiana Tech, a surprising 8-3 squad that defeated Southeastern Conference champion Alabama in Tuscaloosa last year, visits the Orange Bowl on Oct. 28. Defending Big East champion Virginia Tech visits one week later on Nov. 4 and Pittsburgh makes the trek to the Orange Bowl on Nov. 11. After a road game at Syracuse, UM closes the home schedule against Boston College on Nov. 25.

For ticket information for Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-4808 or order on-line at www.hurricanesports.com.