Monroe, Ortega Impress Coaches as Hurricanes Continue Camp

Aug. 17, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Hurricanes football team practiced for just over two hours in full pads at the Greentree Practice Facility on the University of Miami campus Tuesday afternoon. Seven Atlantic Coast Conference officials refereed during the practice.

“We had a single practice today,” head coach Larry Coker said. “The intensity was good. The guys practiced pretty hard. It was good to see Frank Gore practicing well. All in all, I though it was a good day for our football team.”

Hurricanes sophomore punter Brian Monroe has impressed coaches throughout fall workouts as he continues to improve on his consistency. “I have been really encouraged with the way Brian Monroe has punted the football,” Coker said. “He is doing an excellent job, which is very encouraging and something we certainly needed to see.”

Junior Buck Ortega is making a name for himself at tight end after spending his first three years with the Hurricanes moving from position to position.

“Buck had a good spring and offseason and has really had a good fall camp,” Coker said. “Buck is one that tends to lose a lot of fluids, and we have to make sure and keep him hydrated. We have to keep him healthy, and keep his weight up.

“He (Buck) is going to be in them mix at tight end/H-back,” Coker said. “There are three guys right now that are pretty good. We like all three of them, and he will definitely be one of those guys. He does a great job as a H-back.”

The Hurricanes will hold their second two-a-day practice of the summer on Wednesday with practices scheduled 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday’s workouts are open to the public.

Miami opens the regular season on Monday night, Sept. 6 against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. For more ticket information visit www.hurricanesports.com