Hurricanes vs. Hurricanes in Wednesday Practice

Oct. 6, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami’s fourth-ranked football team took on each other in an extended practice on Wednesday afternoon at the Greentree Practice Fields in a steady rain.

“This was us against us today, Miami vs. Miami,” Miami head coach Larry Coker said. “We worked pretty hard and conditioned pretty hard. But this was what we needed at this time since we have a little time before we play Louisville. It was a really good day for us.”

Miami will turn its attention to the 20th-ranked Cardinals on Thursday in preparation for their Oct. 14 showdown in the Orange Bowl.

“We will work on some Louisville things starting tomorrow,” Coker said.

Rashad Butler moved into the left tackle spot vacated by Eric Winston, who was lost for the season with a knee injury against Georgia Tech.

“Rashad Butler moved into Eric’s spot, and really that is the only change we had,” Coker said. “Everything else should stay pretty constant.

Coker affirmed his confidence in Butler and believes he can make the switch quite comfortably from right tackle. “He has played a lot here,” Coker said. “He is a guy that when he went down (with an injury in fall practice) we were really disappointed because we though we took a hit when we lost him. Of course Chris (Myers) stepped out there (at right tackle) and has done a nice job. I fell very confident in Rashad. He is smart. He is tough, and he cares.”

Miami will return to the practice field on Thursday and Friday before taking Saturday off and beginning game-week preparations for Louisville on Sunday. Miami and Louisville are slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN on Thursday, Oct. 14.