April 16 Football Spring Practice Report

April 16, 2004

CORAL GALBES, Fla. – The University of Miami Football team concluded their 14th spring practice with a short workout in shorts and helmets at the Greentree practice fields Friday afternoon.

The coaches are looking forward to an exciting spring game tomorrow at the Orange Bowl.

“We had an outstanding spring practice and hopefully we have a great scrimmage tomorrow,” Head Coach Larry Coker said. “The only thing I ask tomorrow is to play hard, enjoy tomorrow and do the things they’ve been coached to do. We want to finish (the spring) off right.”

Coach Coker is pleased with how the defense has progressed throughout the spring.

“I’m a little bit surprised, to be quite honest, to be as strong as we have been,” Coker said. “I knew we’d have a good defensive football team but I didn’t expect it this early. I’ve been really pleased with the progress they’ve made. The secondary and defensive front have been outstanding and the linebackers have been solid, so I’ve been encouraged by that.”

The Hurricanes wrap up spring practice tomorrow with the annual spring game which will be played in an offense vs. defense format.

Gates at the Orange Bowl open at 9 a.m. with the game beginning at 10 a.m.