Hurricanes Begin Bowl Week Practices In Georgia Dome

Dec. 26, 2005

ATLANTA, Ga. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The ninth-ranked Miami Hurricanes football team held its first bowl week practice at the Georgia Dome Monday afternoon in preparation for Friday night’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the No. 10 LSU Tigers. It was the team’s first practice on an artificial surface since it won the 2004 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in the same venue.

“This is a great place to play,” said head coach Larry Coker of the Georgia Dome. “The turf is fast and we practiced fast. Our guys are anxious to play, we just have to have them save some of it for Friday.”

While the entire team was able to travel for the bowl instead of the normal travel roster of 70 student-athletes, Coker announced that at least one player would not be with the team. Junior wide receiver Ryan Moore has been suspended for a violation of team policy and will not play in Friday’s game.

“We miss Ryan, but we have players who can step up,” Coker said. “(The receivers) looked great today.”

While the Hurricanes will be missing a regular starter at receiver, all signs are pointing to LSU sophomore backup Matt Flynn getting the starting nod at quarterback for the Tigers. Flynn, if he starts, would be filling in for JaMarcus Russell, who injured his non-throwing shoulder against Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

“The thing I see with (Flynn) is that he’s now had a month to practice as the starter,” Coker said. “I’m sure their team will rally around him. But the injury (to Russell) has no effect on their defense, which I think has won them some games this season.”

Miami will practice again in the Georgia Dome on Tuesday afternoon. Some members of the team will pay a visit to the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital prior to practice and the entire team will attend the Delta Football Feud after practice as part of the Tuesday’s extracurricular activities.