Hurricanes Strengthening Heading Into Duke Game
Oct. 4, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The ninth-ranked University of Miami football team is doing what it should be doing at this time of the season-getting into midseason form. UM used some wet weather to its advantage and conducted a solid practice that concentrated on fundamentals at the Greentree Practice Fields Tuesday afternoon.
“This was a great day,” head coach Larry Coker said. “I really felt like we got better today.”
Improvement is paramount on the team’s daily checklist, rain or shine. The projected weather forecast for this weekend includes showers and could make Saturday’s 3:30 game against the Blue Devils a wet one. Scattered rain showers dampened the field but not the Hurricanes’ preparation for Duke.
“We needed to get some work in the rain,” Coker said. “We haven’t had that luxury (yet). If we get rain on Saturday, we should have a little preparation for it. We had muffed snaps last Saturday with a wet ball, and those things shouldn’t happen.”
The Hurricanes got back to basics during practice and emphasized individual work to improve timing on offense and polish themselves defensively. “We want to really get back to us, and really work hard and improve our fundamentals this week,” Coker said. “I think there are some things we let slide and there are some things we have to do to get better as a football team. That’s very important for us.”
Miami returns to the Greentree Practice Fields at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday to continue preparing for the Blue Devils.
Notes: Offensive lineman Cyrim Wimbs had a boot on his right ankle during practice, the result of a sprain sustained in the South Florida game, Coker said…Wide receiver Darnell Jenkins was in a cast at practice to stabilize a sprained ankle, per doctor’s orders… Injured defensive backs Marcus Maxey and Greg Threat increased their participation in practice from last week. “They did quite a bit,” Coker said. “I anticipate both of those guys (playing). Marcus played a lot last game anyway, but I expect Threat back also.”… LB Tavares Gooden, who will seek a medical redshirt due to a shoulder injury suffered in the season opener against Florida State, underwent a successful surgery yesterday, Coker said… Offensive lineman Derrick Morse, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since August, practiced with the team.
