Miami Works through First Two-a-Day of Fall Camp
Aug. 7, 2008
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Six days into fall camp, the University of Miami football team worked through its first two-a-day practice slate with a pair of two-hour sessions Thursday at the Greentree Practice Fields. The team, donning full pads in both practices, took the field early in the morning before returning again late in the afternoon in preparation for its first fall scrimmage.
“Today was a physical practice,” head coach Randy Shannon said following the morning session. “We had some goal-line and short-yardage scrimmages. It was real, real physical. It was a good opportunity for a bunch of guys to get some reps — young guys and older guys.”
The Hurricanes also spent some time in third down situations in both practices, in addition to the team’s usual 7-on-7 and 9-on-9 drills.
“We balanced it with offense in one half and defense in one half, which is a starting point for what we are trying to get done,” Shannon added.
Mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower-to-mid 80’s kept the morning practice cooler than usual. In the afternoon, temperatures reached into the mid 90’s – with a heat index that hit 100 – before conditions cooled back down into the 80’s by the end of practice around 5:45 p.m.
“We’re in a good rhythm right now,” Shannon said after the second practice. “Guys have the tempo down and they understand what we need to get done. We are running a lot of plays but with it being a two-a-day today, we backed off a little in the morning and a little in the afternoon.”
The Hurricanes will take their first day off since the start of camp on Friday before returning to the field Saturday for the first of three scrimmages leading up to the season-opener.
On Saturday’s scrimmage, Shannon commented, “It will likely just be some 12-play scrimmages. We’ll probably get between 80 and 90 plays of good work with it being the first scrimmage. Then the next week, we’ll add on and we’ll go from there.”
Fans can order tickets for the 2008 season by visiting www.hurricanesports.com or by calling the UM ticket office at (800) GO-CANES or (305) 284-CANE. The UM ticket office, located at the Hecht Athletic Center on UM’s campus, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
UM’s season-opener is slated for Thursday, Aug. 28 against Charleston Southern at Dolphin Stadium. Kick-off for the opener is slated for 7:30 p.m. and all fans are encouraged to wear orange to the game against the Buccaneers.
Thursday notes
Both the morning and afternoon practices lasted approximately two hours apiece.
Thursday marked the Hurricanes’ first two-a-day practice slate.
Junior offensive lineman Chris Barney left practice with an undisclosed injury. A timetable for his return in unknown.
UM will take Friday off before returning to the field Saturday night for a closed scrimmage.
Senior defensive lineman Antonio Dixon reported to the afternoon practice but did not participate in any drills. Shannon hopes he’ll be able to suit up for Saturday’s scrimmage.
The Hurricanes’ season-opener against Charleston Southern is 21 days away.
