Football Practice Report - Saturday, March 22
March 22, 2003
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Thirty-six plays of scrimmaging in full pads apped a hot and humid practice Saturday morning as the Miami Hurricanes football team completed its first week of spring practice at Greentree Practice Field on the University of Miami campus. The Hurricanes will continue spring practice Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Greentree.
The scrimmage portion of Saturday’s practice came in the final 45 minutes of drills and, while making note of some mental mistakes typical of work early in the spring, head football coach Larry Coker praised the play of his offense Saturday, especially the running backs.
“The mistakes we made are all correctable but I was impressed with our offense today, especially the running backs,” Coker said. “(Fullback) Talib Humphrey showed us a lot as a blocker and a receiver today. (Fullback) Quadtrine Hill really ran well and (Tailback) Frank Gore was excellent.”
Hill played at both tailback and fullback Saturday, partially because the Hurricanes were without the services of Jarrett Payton, one of two tailbacks in camp this spring. Payton injured his Achilles on Tuesday and is being held out of contact drills. Hill was impressive running the ball while Humphrey made a pair of big receptions and was a difficult runner to haul down.
Unofficial statistics had Gore rushing five times for 37 yards, including an impressive 22-yard touchdown run on an inside run in which he broke several tackles. Hill was credited with 31 yards on six attempts, including a 14-yarder. Humphrey had two catches for 30 yards (plays of 12 and 18 yards) and Hill made an 11-yard reception. Non-scholarship tailback Jeff Malley rushed three times for 14 yards. Tight End Kellen Winslow had two receptions for 19 yards and Roscoe Parrish made one catch for 11 yards.
Coker was also impressed with a pair of young offensive linemen, sophomore tackle Eric Winston and true freshman Derrick Morse, a guard who enrolled in January. Both are playing with the backups, but caught Coker’s eye on Saturday. “Derrick’s not even been to the prom, but he was impressive today,” Coker said.
All four quarterbacks rotated repetitions with the starting offensive unit. Derrick Crudup was 3-of-4 passing for 39 yards without an interception. Brock Berlin was 2-of-3 for 14 yards and led the only scoring drive of the day, which ended on Gore’s touchdown run. Marc Guillon was 0-for-3 through the air and true freshman Kyle Wright went 2-for-3 for 12 yards.
Saturday morning’s practice was the fourth of 15 sessions that will conclude on Thursday, April 10.
All spring practices are closed to the public with the exception of the Friday, March 28, workout at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and the Spring Game slated for Saturday, April 5, at the Orange Bowl.
Here’s the practice schedule for next week:
Monday, March 24 3:30 p.m. at Greentree Practice FieldsTuesday, March 25 3:30 p.m. at Greentree Practice FieldsWednesday, March 26 No practiceThursday, March 27 3:30 p.m. at Greentree Practice FieldsFriday, March 28 6 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale (OPEN TO PUBLIC)Saturday, March 29 No practice
