Hurricanes' Defense Focuses in on Florida State
Aug. 30, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The fifth-ranked Miami football team practiced in shells for two hours on Monday afternoon at the Greentree Practices Fields in preparation for sixth-ranked Florida State next Monday night at the Orange Bowl.
“We had a little heat wave today, but that is good,” head coach Larry Coker said. “We had Tony Tella back today. He was some what limited in practice, but it was good to see him back out there.”
Tella worked at right tackle and left guard and could see action at either position against the Seminoles.
“I think we are making some progress, but we still have some work to do,” Coker said.
The Hurricanes’ defense continues to impress the coaching staff during practice sessions this fall.
“I think the defense had an excellent day today,” Coker said. “The defense flew around and is really starting to hone in on the things they need to do to help us win a football game.”
With sixth-ranked Florida State just a week away, the Hurricanes turned their focus to the Seminoles and opening the season with a win.
“I think the attitude of this team has been good from the standpoint of `we know what we are in for,'” Coker said. “Or, hopefully, we know what we are in for. They (Florida State) are an outstanding team with great athletes, and obviously the coaching goes without saying. It is going to be a tough, tough football game. Florida State is a tough team, and that is the way they play. They are physical. We are going to have to respond, and that has been the attitude we have been taking as coaches and as players.”
ESPN’s television show `The Season’ is in Coral Gables this entire week leading up to the Florida State game. The show will be taking viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at the Hurricanes’ preparations for the Florida State game. The show will air at 1 a.m. Sept. 10, on ESPN.
The Hurricanes are scheduled for a 3:30 practice Tuesday at the Greentree Practice Fields. All Hurricanes’ practices are closed to the public for the remainder of the year.
