Miami Practices Sunday with Opener Just Four Days Out

Aug. 24, 2008

Charleston Southern Game Depth Chart Format

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team held its third post-camp practice Sunday night at the Greentree Practice Fields and Mark Light Field, continuing its game preparation for Thursday’s match-up with Charleston Southern at Dolphin Stadium.

The Hurricanes split groups up practicing under lights on one field at the Greentree Practice Fields and in the outfield at Mark Light Field.

For the third straight practice, the Hurricanes spent a fair amount of time on both offensive and defensive blitz packages. UM’s first teams continue to work against opponent scout teams as the season opener is now just four days away.

The team worked out for just under three hours under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-to-lower 80’s.

Head coach Randy Shannon announced after practice that redshirt freshman Robert Marve will be the team’s starting quarterback this season, but freshman Jacory Harris will get the start against Charleston Southern. Marve and six other players will not play in the first game for disciplinary reasons.

“Like I said before when I took the job at the University of Miami, we hold everyone to higher standards than most teams in the country,” Shannon said. “We have our rules and regulations, as far as curfew, study hall, and doing the right things in the classroom. We won’t have seven players taking part in Thursday’s game for those reasons, and we’ll move forward.”

Shannon has said since last season, a handful of our players have been involved in behavior that warranted discipline. It is important to point out that none of these actions is based upon legal issues and this is not a result of one incident involving all of the student-athletes.  I am not going to go into specifics regarding each person but I will tell you that we hold our players to an extremely high standard whether we are talking about academic issues like missing study hall or team rules violations like breaking a curfew.” 

Fans can order tickets for the 2008 season, including season tickets starting at $99, 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 against the Buccaneers is slated for Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. All fans are encouraged to wear orange to the game to show their support of the `Canes.

Post-practice notes

·                  Friday’s practice lasted just under three hours.

·                  UM will return to practice Monday night at 6 p.m.

·                  The team announced that running back Damien Berry, wide receiver Kayne Farquharson, fullback Eric Houston, long snapper Chris Ivory, quarterback Robert Marve, defensive lineman Adewale Ojomo and safety Randy Phillips will miss the season opener for disciplinary reasons on Thursday versus Charleston Southern.

·                  Shannon announced that Marve will be the team’s starting quarterback this season. Jacory Harris will serve as Marve’s back-up this season but will start on Thursday against CSU. Cannon Smith will be the team’s third-string quarterback this season.

·                  Shannon also noted wide receiver Tommy Streeter, defensive lineman Josh Holmes and offensive lineman Ben Jones will not play Thursday.

·                  The Hurricanes’ season-opener against Charleston Southern is four days away.

Other Shannon’s Quotes from Sunday’s practice:

“Like I’ve said before, when I took the job at the University of Miami, we are going to hold everybody to higher standards than most teams in the country. We have our rules and our regulations as far as academics, curfew, study hall and doing the right thing in the classroom. We have guys who won’t be in the game for those reasons and then we’ll move forward.”

“Robert Marve will be our starting quarterback this season. He will not be [playing in] the game against Charleston Southern. We have two great quarterbacks. The competition was great between the two guys. They did a great job of competing and getting this team ready to play. Jacory Harris will play in every game this season; Robert Marve will be the starter. We will not have a controversy. If Jacory has a tremendous game, Robert is still the starter.”

“Some people may think this is a harsh decision for this university because I’m such a stickler about doing the little things, but one thing I do know: You don’t do the little things, it adds up to big things and that causes a lot of problems on your team.”

“We’re going to build a championship team and we’re going to do it the right way. We are going to keep enforcing those things to make us a better team, a better program. Like I said before, some schools may not be as harsh as we are, but we’re the University of Miami and that is the standard we set.”

QB Robert Marve Quotes:

“I made a mistake, I’m sorry for what I did. It was an accident. Of course, I’d take it back if I could, but I believe in coach (Randy) Shannon. Coach Shannon said I need to do this and it’s best for the team, so it’s what I’m going to do.”

“I’m proud to be here. I messed up. I’m having a great time playing out here on scout team, a great time with everything. I’m taking it very well. It is what it is.”

“I believe in the coaching staff, this team, and I believe it’s the best thing for the team, personally. The rules are set for everybody. I knew what the rules were. I violated them. I’m just another player on the team.”

-UM-