Football Practice Report - Friday, Aug. 23

Aug. 23, 2002

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – With their season opener with Florida A&M just eight days away, the Miami Hurricanes intensified preparations for their first game with an afternoon practice Friday at the Greentree Practice Fields on the UM campus.

Friday’s practice focused on installation of plans for the matchup with the Rattlers as the offensive and defensive units worked extensively against the scout team. Head coach Larry Coker praised his team’s work ethic after the practice and said he is starting to see signs that the wear and tear of two-a-days (which ended on Wednesday) is starting to wear off.

“We’re starting to get our legs back under us after two-a-days,” Coker said. “It was encouraging to see us show some of that speed again. You can tell the guys are starting to recover from two-a-days by the way they’re flying around the ball and making some plays.”

Several previously injured players returned to practice on Friday, including defensive ends Andrew Williams (knee) and Jerome McDougle (strained pectoral muscle).

The Hurricanes will go through a mock game practice on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., a workout in which the team will focus on game day procedures. The practice will be closed to the public and the media. Miami will practice on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., as well. Media members may view the first half hour and final 15 minutes of Sunday’s workout.

UM’s first game of the season is Saturday, August 31, against Florida A&M with a 7 p.m. kickoff time at the Orange Bowl.