Football Opener Moved To Thursday, Aug. 28, For ESPN Television

May 13, 2003

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – ESPN announced today that Miami’s football season-opener against Louisiana Tech will be nationally televised on ESPN Thursday, August 28, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (6:30 p.m. CT) at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. ESPN’s regular Thursday night crew of Mike Tirico, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso will describe the action of the first Thursday night game of the 2003 collegiate football season.

The game will mark the third football meeting between the two schools with Miami holding a 2-0 advantage in the series, including a 6-0 win in 1979 and a 42-31 victory in 2001. Both of those games were played at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

Miami will enter the season opener the winner of 34 of its last 35 games and 39 of its last 41 contests dating back to late in the 1999 season. The Hurricanes were 12-1 last season with their only setback coming in a double-overtime loss to Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game. The Hurricanes return 12 starters (6 offense, 6 defense) and 47 lettermen from the 2002 squad, including offensive stars in tight end Kellen Winslow, receiver Roscoe Parrish and defensive stalwarts in linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and safety Sean Taylor. Both Winslow and Taylor were recently honored as members of Playboy magazine’s prestigious Preseason All-America Team.

Louisiana Tech enters the season off a 4-8 record in 2002. The Bulldogs went 3-5 in the Western Athletic Conference but return 53 lettermen, including 11 starters (6 offense, 5 defense). Traditionally one of college football’s most exciting offensive teams, Tech figures to maintain that status with the return of quarterback Luke McCown, who passed for 3,539 yards last season.

Miami Hurricanes football tickets are on sale now. Fans may call 1-800-GO-CANES to speak with a ticket representative.

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