Football Practice Report - Monday, Aug. 25

Aug. 25, 2003

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami football team held a two-hour workout in shorts and shoulder pads on Monday afternoon at the Greentree Practice fields. The Hurricanes held what will be the last full practice before the season opening game against Louisiana Tech on Thursday, August 25.

“This was our last long practice,” head coach Larry Coker said. “Tomorrow will be relatively short. We had a really good day; the defense really flew around today. You can tell that it is getting closer to game time. The intensity is picking up and the adrenaline starts to flow.”

Coker commented on the status of senior linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury and could miss some time against Louisiana Tech.

“He can play if we need him to play,” Coker said. “He will not start, but he is going to make the trip.”

The Hurricanes’ coaching staff is considering a number of players to handle the kick returning duties this season.

“Returning punts will be Antrel Rolle or Roscoe Parrish,” Coker said. “Roscoe can handle those duties if we need him to do it. On kickoffs right now it will be Devin Hester and Sean Taylor. Antrel could be involved with that as well.”

The Hurricanes will hold a light practice session on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. and return once more on Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. prior to leaving for Shreveport, La. to face Louisiana Tech. The game is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

For UM ticket information, please call 1-800-GO-CANES.