Hurricanes Finish Preparation For Duke

Oct. 6, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Coming into the week of preparations for ACC foe Duke, the ninth-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes sought to improve individually as they round into midseason form.

Judging from a solid week of practice, coach Larry Coker feels his team, now 3-1 after a 27-7 victory over South Florida last week in the Orange Bowl, is ready to play.

“We had a good day today, and we’re looking forward to playing well on Saturday,” Coker said. “We’ve had a good week, even though we’ve been concerned about the weather-it’s been raining on and off.”

While Thursday’s practice did not feature scattered showers as did Tuesday’s, the Hurricanes still practiced under overcast skies with damp turf beneath their cleats at the Greentree Practice Fields. Preliminary weather reports for the Hurricanes’ 3:30 kickoff Saturday show the possibility of rain.

Coker said the receivers have had a very good week of practice, and he does not anticipate his team to overlook the 1-4 Blue Devils.

“I feel we’re a little bit more mature football team, and again the attitude they have is it’s all about us. Really, we prepare the same way every week,” Coker said. “The receiver play this week was definitely better. Everything was pass-and-catch this week. We didn’t accept anything that wasn’t a catch.”

The Hurricanes will wrap up preparations with a brief, closed walkthrough practice on Friday afternoon. Saturday’s game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

Notes: Coker said cornerback Marcus Maxey is doing well and will definitely play, maybe even start. “(Maxey’s) fine, he practiced today and I think he’ll be even better Saturday as the days go on. We’re trying to keep him from setback….Sophomore running back Andrew Johnson, coming off knee surgery, is ready to play, Coker said.