Miami Begins Georgia Tech Practice Week
Nov. 15, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Considering the great challenge that awaits around the corner for the third-ranked University of Miami football team-parlayed with two monumental road wins against Wake Forest (47-17) and then-third ranked Virginia Tech (27-7) in the rearview mirror-coach Larry Coker decided to give his players some rest at the end of Tuesday’s practice.
The fifth-year coach spared his team from conditioning at the end of their workout, but the Hurricanes did not, by any means, practice differently than they do any other Tuesday.
“I thought the team was a little bit tired today. We didn’t go lighter; we just didn’t condition at the end, and we’ll encourage them to get their rest. We’ll take care of them tonight and the rest of the week,” Coker said. “I think we’ll come out tomorrow and be a lot crisper, fresh and fly around a lot better. That’s important for us; we’ve been on the road two weeks in a row with late nights and those sorts of things.”
The Hurricanes wrap up their regular season with home dates against two ACC teams, with the first coming Saturday when the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech (6-3, 4-3 ACC) come to Miami. Georgia Tech is coming off a 27-17 loss to Miami’s next opponent, Virginia (6-3, 3-3 ACC).
“This time of year, not too many people are in mint condition,” Coker said. “All in all, guys want to have a good practice, and I think that’s my responsibility to get them in the best frame of mind to play on Saturday, and we will play well on Saturday.”
The Hurricanes can wrap up a berth in the ACC’s inaugural championship game Dec. 3 in Jacksonville, Fla. by winning their remaining two games. Miami’s quest towards the Coastal Division crown and an opportunity to play Atlantic division winner Florida State begins at 7:45 p.m. Saturday in the Orange Bowl.
ESPN will televise the game nationally, while providing the Orange Bowl with temporary lighting fixtures after the Orange Bowl was damaged by Hurricane Wilma.
Notes: Coker is not encouraged by signs he’s seeing out of return specialist and cornerback Devin Hester (hamstring). “I don’t feel good about Devin,” Coker said. “He was out and he was rehabbing, and he didn’t practice today. But we’ll see how the week progresses.”….Defensive end Bryan Pata (knee) will also be evaluated as the week goes on…Freshman safety Kenny Phillips (groin) practiced Tuesday. “He’s fine,” Coker said. “He could have played the second half against Wake Forest, but we’re trying to do our part as coaches to get guys in mint condition.”
