Hurricanes Have Spirited Morning Practice
Aug. 17, 2001
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Audio:
Coach Coker
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The Miami Hurricanes began their eighth day of preseason workouts with a spirited 90-minute practice at the Greentree Practice Fields on Friday morning. The team continued work on the kicking game, individual position drills, and full-contact scrimmage situations.
“We had a good practice this morning and, actually, I was kind of surprised,” UM head coach Larry Coker said. “With us being at the halfway point of two-a-days I thought I’d have to bring out a whip this morning to get `em going, but they were enthusiastic coming out here and had a good practice.”
Coker singled out his linebackers and receivers for their continued improvement.
“Jon Vilma continues to show some improvement and looks like he’s ready to pick up from where he was before his knee injury (suffered during spring practice) and Howard Clark has really had a good preseason,” Coker said. “Having Jon back at full speed allows us to think about using Howard at either the middle or outside positions. The receiver position is one that is an exciting one for us. Those guys have really shown me something. They are greatly improved since the spring.”
On the injury front, junior defensive end Jerome McDougle was limited but did participate in some drills. Another defensive end, junior Jamaal Green, continues to sit out contact work with a knee problem.
Following the practice, the team broke for lunch before returning for positional meetings at the recently expanded Hecht Athletic Center in the early afternoon.
The Hurricanes wrap up today’s work later this afternoon with their second practice of the day at 3:30 p.m. All preseason practices are closed to the public with media allowed to watch and shoot the first half-hour and final 15 minutes of each workout.
Miami begins the 2001 season on Saturday, September 1, at Penn State in a nationally televised contest (ABC Sports). Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
For ticket information for Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES or purchase them on the web at www.hurricanesports.com.
