Hurricanes Wrap Up Second Two-A-Day of Camp

Hurricanes Wrap Up Second Two-A-Day of Camp

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team held its second two-a-day of fall camp on Monday, working out in full pads for two hours in the morning before donning helmets and shorts for another two hour session late in the afternoon.

Junior running back Graig Cooper was among those who stood out in the morning practice, scoring twice in red zone drills (one rush, one reception) before adding a big run later in third down blitz drills.

In the afternoon, back-to-back 65-yard touchdown passes in 7-on-7 action by Jacory Harris to LaRon Byrd and Cannon Smith to Leonard Hankerson highlighted the session.

After temperatures dropped slightly late last week, the heat index returned into the mid-to-upper 90s for both sessions on Monday.

The Hurricanes will practice just once on Tuesday, before holding their third two-a-day on Wednesday.

Practice Highlights – Morning Session (Full Pads)
• Josh Holmes, Ray-Ray Armstrong and Randy Phillips each recorded a sack in third down blitz drills.
• Sam Shields and Jordan Futch each recovered a fumble in 11-on-11 play. Shields returned his for a touchdown.
• Tommy Streeter had the biggest catch in 11-on-11 play, scoring on a 60+ yard connection from Taylor Cook.
• Allen Bailey recorded two sacks, including one in red zone drills.
• Graig Cooper stood out offensively in red zone work, scoring on a 15-yard run and later on a pass from Jacory Harris. Cooper also picked up a 25-yard run in third down blitz drills.

Practice Highlights – Afternoon Session (Helmets and Shorts)
• Javarris James had three runs of at least 15 yards in 11-on-11 action.
• Davon Johnson made a 30-35 yard diving catch from a pass thrown by Jacory Harris in 11-on-11 action.
• 7-on-7 drills were highlighted by back-to-back 65-yard touchdown catches by LaRon Byrd (from Jacory Harris) and Leonard Hankerson (from Cannon Smith).

Photo Gallery: Day Eight
Click HERE for a photo gallery from Monday morning’s practice.

Chavez Grant Post-Practice
After Monday afternoon’s practice, several players met with members of the media to discuss the start of the second week of camp. Senior cornerback Chavez Grant was among the group that was made available. He discussed a number of topics, including how the defense is playing in camp, how to defend the deep ball and how fellow defensive back Ryan Hill looks in practice:

On what he likes about the defense – Our enthusiasm…. our enthusiasm and our ability to play well. Sometimes the offense does well, but we always come right back. If the offense beats us up on a few plays, a few plays later we are right back at it. We never lose our enthusiasm, we never lose our fight. I think that has a lot to do with playing well as a defense…..being able to bounce back.

On defending the deep ball as a cornerback – You’ve got to concentrate on body positioning. You’ve got to judge the ball right. You’ve got to make sure your body is in the right place. You’ve got to know where your help is. If you are on the inside and the safety is on the inside and they throw the ball outside, they are going to beat you. There are a lot of things that go into it.

On fellow defensive back Ryan Hill He is always where he needs to be, always where he is supposed to be. He plays hard, he makes his tackles. Basically that is what football is – being where you are supposed to be and making tackles on defense.

Getting to Know The “U” Freshmen – Shayon Green
Hometown: Tifton, Ga.Position: Linebacker
Gucci Mane is in my iPod right now
I’m a `Cane because of the family atmosphere
My training camp roommate is: Curtis Porter
Favorite part about being at the U right now: Football
Coach Lovett keeps me laughing
I have learned so much from Darryl Sharpton
Favorite post-practice thing to do: Sleep
Favorite sport besides football: Baseball
I wouldn’t want to be hit by: a.) Colin McCarthy or b.) Darryl Sharpton): Between those two, Darryl Sharpton, but really Allen Bailey
If I could play any other position, it would be: Running Back
Favorite `Cane of all-time: Ray Lewis

Post-practice notes
• Monday marked the team’s second two-a-day of fall camp.
• Both sessions lasted approximately two hours. Temperatures remained in the mid-to-upper 80’s throughout both practices.
• Head Coach Randy Shannon talked to the media after the morning session and said that sophomore defensive end Adewale Ojomo would miss some time. Shannon also said freshman defensive end Olivier Vernon would be day-to-day nursing a minor injury.
• University of Miami head men’s basketball coach Frank Haith was among those in attendance at Monday morning’s session.
• Former University of Miami wide receiver Yatil Green attended the afternoon practice.
• UM will hold one practice on Tuesday. The `Canes will wear full pads in a morning session.
• The Hurricanes’ season-opener at Florida State on Mon. Sept 7 is 21 days away.

Practice Schedule
Miami will hold approximately 18 workouts prior to the first day of class on Aug 26. Nine of those workouts have been completed. The Hurricanes open the season on Labor Day Monday Night at rival No. 19 Florida State. Hurricanes’ practices will start at 8 a.m. daily, with the exception of off-days on Aug. 14, 16, 20 and 22. UM’s final two-a-day practices are slated for Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 23. The schedule is subject to change.

TV Appearances
Miami has already has been selected for three national television appearances, beginning with the Sept. 7 opener at Florida State (ESPN). Additional games chosen for national telecasts are the Hurricanes’ home opener against Georgia Tech on Thurs. Sept. 17 (ESPN). Miami’s game at UCF will air on CBS College Sports at 7:30 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 17.

For `Canes Tickets
Single-game tickets for University of Miami home football games are on sale. Ticket prices for all games begin at $19 and can be purchased via www.HurricaneSports.com, www.ticketmaster.com or at the Miami Hurricanes Ticket Office located at the Hecht Athletic Center on campus or by calling (305) 284-2263. Hours of operation for the ticket office is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Individual game tickets are also available at Ticketmaster outlets including select F.Y.E. and select Simon Malls, The Mall at Wellington Green and Dolphin Mall. To charge your individual game tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000. Individual game tickets will be available on the 100 Level, Club Level and 400 Level of the stadium. The best way to guarantee tickets to all Miami Hurricanes home games at Land Shark Stadium is to become a season ticket holder, Club Level member or Executive Suite member. To purchase season tickets starting as low as $99, Club Level or Executive Suite Memberships, call 1-800-GO-CANES or purchase your seats on-line at www.HurricaneSports.com.