Extra Time Equals Extra Football For Hurricanes
Aug. 29, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team took advantage of some extra time Monday and moved practice to the evening at the Greentree Practice Fields to escape the heat and the possibility of rain.
“This was a somewhat-normal type of Wednesday practice for us,” head coach Larry Coker said. “The guys moved around pretty well and I was pleased. It was a much better practice today than yesterday.”
UM conducted a practice in a closed session at the Orange Bowl on Sunday night. On Saturday, they had a mock game, running through a bevy of situations that included preparation for safeties and onside kicks.
Miami’s 2005 season opener against Florida State is only a week away. The proximity of the game showed with a quickened pace in practice. “(The intensity) has picked up, it really has,” Coker said. “I intentionally wanted it to pick up. We need to get in the rhythm of practice and the rhythm we need to be in the game and understand the energy we need to play with on Monday night.”
Classes were cancelled again Monday as the university rebounds from Hurricane Katrina. The football team used the extra time in meetings and it allowed the team extra latitude in re-scheduling practice from the afternoon to the evening.
Classes will be in session on Tuesday and the Hurricanes will be back on a normal schedule with a 3:20 p.m. practice at the Greentree Practice Fields.
Notes: While Hurricane Katrina has passed through South Florida, there are several Hurricanes from Louisiana who have family affected by the storm. “First I found out where the families were going to be,” Coker said. “All of the families left…We feel good about the safety of their families, that was the first thing we wanted to make sure of. It’s obviously unsettling. Even though your families are safe, you still have homes and properties there.”… Rocky McIntosh (knee) and Tony Tella (ankle) participated in full practices last night and at Monday’s practice… Leon Williams is back from injury and will be ready to play, Coker said. “A week ago at this time we had guys with some bumps and pulls. That wasn’t a big deal. Now we need to get everyone back and healthy to go to Tallahassee.”
