Hurricanes Begin Practice For Rutgers

Sept. 26, 2000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The Miami Hurricanes, ranked 10th by the Associated Press and 12th in the ESPN/USA Today rankings, began practices for their BIG EAST clash with Rutgers Tuesday afternoon with a two-hour session at the Greentree Practice Field on the UM campus.

“It was a good start to the week,” said head coach Butch Davis. “As schematically different as Rutgers is from any team we’ve played this year, we just can’t afford not to have productive practices. The multi-receiver sets they use offensively, the multiple fronts they use defensively . . . they present a challenge to our kids in preparation.”

On the injury front, concerns focused on the situation at fullback. Starter Will McPartland remains limited from the aftereffects of a contusion to his left forearm and a concussion suffered against West Virginia. “I think he’s gonna be fine but he’s still a little slow,” Davis said. Reserve fullback D.J. Williams saw limited action in the practice while recuperating from the aftereffects of a strained hip flexor suffered in the Hurricanes’ 47-10 win over West Virginia last Saturday. “Actually, D.J. looked much better after getting all the treatment,” Davis said. “It will be a day-to-day, week-by-week deal.”

Saturday’s clash at Rutgers, which will be televised in the Miami via WPLG-TV (Channel 10) beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Hurricanes continue practice Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Greentree. All practices are closed to the public. For ticket information concerning 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.