Hurricanes Prepare For Home Opener
Sept. 21, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 12th-ranked University of Miami football team returned to the Greentree Practice Fields Wednesday afternoon after taking Tuesday off with the rest of the University to avoid Hurricane Rita. Only three days remain until Miami’s 2005 home opener against the Colorado Buffaloes at 12 noon on Saturday in the Orange Bowl. The game will is a split national telecast on ABC.
The day off didn’t put a hitch in the Hurricanes’ game preparation. “We’re right on schedule,” head coach Larry Coker said. “We had a good practice today and we’ll have a light practice tomorrow to rest up for what should be an exciting game.”
Miami is fresh off a thrilling, 36-30 triple-overtime win at Clemson last Saturday. The excitement from the win has carried over to this week’s practices.
“We’ve had two very tough road games and we’re very pleased about the opportunity to come home and play an outstanding Colorado team,” Coker said. “They are 2-0, the Big 12 North Champions from a year ago and they are predicted to be the Big 12 North Champions again this year. We’ve got a tremendous challenge ahead of us, facing two tremendous running backs and a veteran quarterback, like we saw last week.”
In addition to a veteran offense, Miami will be facing their toughest special teams test of the season, Coker said.
Some injured Hurricanes have used some of their time off to heal up from their early-season injuries. Linebacker Tavares Gooden (shoulder) is under wait-and-see status after seeing limited action in practice Wednesday. Defensive tackle Baraka Atkins (knee), who played against Clemson, has shown marked improvement. “Baraka has been doing everything (in practice),” Coker said. “He’s in much better shape this week.” In addition, offensive lineman Derrick Morse (shoulder) has been running at practice and should be back soon, Coker said.
Notes: Tickets for the home opener can be purchased by calling 1-800-GO-CANES outside of Miami-Dade County or 305-284-CANE in Miami-Dade. Also, tickets can be purchased online at hurricanesports.com until 5 p.m. Friday, and at the Orange Bowl beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Ticket prices are $50 and $20.
