Hurricanes Practice in Full Pads on Tuesday

Nov. 30, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami’s ninth-ranked football team conducted a full Tuesday practice with full-contact work at the Greentree Practice Fields with both the Hurricanes’ offense and defense practicing well during the workout.

“It was a good day for us both offensively and defensively,” head coach Larry Coker said. “We got some things accomplished on special teams in what was just a good work day. It was our last day of full pads for the week, and we are right where we need to be.”

Saturday’s game at the Orange Bowl will have a piece of the ACC title on the line as well as the conference’s berth in a BCS Bowl game. The Hurricanes and Hokies are scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. Tickets are still available by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or by going online at www.hurricanesports.com.

Non-offensive touchdowns figure to play an important role in Saturday’s showdown for the ACC’s BCS Bowl berth. Miami and Virginia Tech are first and second, respectively, over the last five years in touchdowns on defense or special teams. Miami has recorded 52 non-offensive touchdowns during that five-year span and has eight this season, while the Hokies have 45 over the past five years and six this season.

“I think it is a big factor,” Coker said referring to non-offensive scores. “It is going to be our goal to win special teams, and certainly theirs, too. We just can’t give up the big play in special teams. In other words, we felt like we had the game pretty well under control the year we won the national championship and then we got a punt blocked for a touchdown — then the game got real exciting fast. Those are the things we can’t allow to happen.”

Miami will continue preparations for Virginia Tech on Wednesday with a 3:10 p.m. practice at the Greentree Practice Fields.