Excitement Level Builds with Florida State Approaching

Aug. 31, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The fifth-ranked Miami football team practiced in shorts and helmets for two hours on Tuesday afternoon at the Greentree Practices Fields in preparation for it’s season opener against sixth-ranked Florida State next Monday night at the Orange Bowl.

“We had a good day today,” head coach Larry Coker said. “This was great for us today to get our situations in. We got a lot of conditioning in today, and tomorrow will actually be a day off for the players.”

The Hurricanes are now in the midst of game-week preparations, and the excitement is beginning to build with the game vs. the Seminoles less than a week away.

“We are into the game week and that makes things a lot more exciting and a lot more focused for everybody,” Coker said. “As soon as we come back on Thursday, we will get into a little deeper game-week preparations.”

Coker also commented on the versatility of running back Quadtrine Hill. “He is working at both positions,” Coker said. “I think we have to leave him at both spots because we need him at tailback, and he can still play the fullback position. It also allows us to get him and one of the tailbacks in the game at the same time. It is kind of a dual role for him.”

The Hurricanes will take Wednesday off before returning to the practice field on Thursday for a 3:30 practice at the Greentree Practice Fields. All Hurricanes’ practices are closed to the public for the remainder of the year.