Hurricanes Close Prep For CanesFest
April 5, 2001
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The Miami Hurricanes wrapped up preparations for Saturday’s Spring Game with a two-hour practice in shorts and shells Thursday afternoon at the Greentree Practice Fields on the UM campus. The Hurricanes will take Friday off before a controlled scrimmage Saturday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m. that will be the centerpiece of the FOX Sports Net CanesFest at the Orange Bowl.
“We got a lot done today,” said head coach Larry Coker. “This was a non-contact day for us and it was important to be efficient today. I want our team to be as fresh and healthy as possible so we can put on a good show for the fans this Saturday. I really like this team and the way they’ve approached things this spring.”
Receiver Andre Johnson continued his return from a quadriceps injury and Coker stated Johnson’s status for Saturday’s scrimmage as “probable”. Also returning to practice was linebacker Carl Walker, who missed Wednesday’s practice with an unspecified injury. Walker, too, was listed as probably for Saturday’s scrimmage.
After the practice ended, Coker outlined the focal points for Saturday’s scrimmage.
“Offensively, I want us to be efficient and make some plays,” Coker said. “We’re not going to be really spectacular on Saturday, but I do want us to be physical and efficient. Defensively, I want our players to play with great technique and hustle. I want us to gang tackle the ball carrier. This game will be another indicator of where we are as a team, but certainly not an indication of the team we want to become. We still have plenty of work to do, although I am encouraged by what we’ve done to this point.”
Saturday’s FOX Sports Net CanesFest on Saturday at the Orange Bowl will climax spring practice, although the team is slated to have its final two workouts of the spring next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10-11, at 3 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Field.
FOX Sports Net CanesFest will be broadcast live by WQAM Radio in Miami (560 AM) and will be televised on a tape-delay basis by FOX Sports Net Florida Saturday night at 10:30 p.m.. It will be rebroadcast Monday, April 9, at 3 p.m. and Thursday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m..
The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a scrimmage highlighting the day starting at 10:30 a.m. That day will be a fun-filled one for Miami fans as spectators can huddle up with head coach Larry Coker for a question-and-answer session before the scrimmage at 10 a.m. Ticket buyers can take part in UM’s Select-A-Seat program, where fans pick their season ticket locations for the 2001 season, and kids can enjoy Touchdown Alley. Players will sign autographs after the scrimmage, beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. Fans also can get a tour of the Miami locker room and photos with the Heisman Trophy and National Championship trophies from the past.
For ticket information concerning Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-2263 or 1-800-GO-CANES. Ticket information also may also be obtained online at www.hurricanesports.com.
