Two-A-Days End With Orange Bowl Walk-Through

Aug. 22, 2000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – A morning practice that focused on simulating game situations followed by an evening walk-through under the lights at the Orange Bowl brought two-a-day practices to an end on Tuesday for the Miami Hurricanes, who open the season August 31 against McNeese State.

“We’re spending a lot more time in game situations, putting more of an emphasis on execution and having to process everything mentally,” said head coach Butch Davis. “We’re letting Greg Schiano (defensive coordinator) and the defensive staff call whatever they want, so as to deal with the unpredictability of a game. That allows our offense to deal with whatever they have to handle in a game situation.”

The team continued to welcome players back from injury as running back Najeh Davenport (knee and concussion) returned to full-speed work for the first time since last week and receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) returned to full-scale practice.

“The work hasn’t been as physical (the last couple of days),” said Davis. “We’ve cut practices back to an hour and a half the last two days, letting the players get their legs back.”

The Hurricanes take the day off Wednesday as classes begin on the Coral Gables campus. The team will begin daily practices Thursday at 3:30 p.m. 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.