No. 20 Miami Turns its Attention to No. 15 Georgia Tech
Sept. 10, 2009
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Three days after opening the 2009 season with a 38-34 win at No. 18 Florida State, the 20th-ranked University of Miami football team returned to the practice field early Thursday morning, working out at Cobb Stadium and the Greentree Practice Fields for approximately an hour-and-a-half.
With the Hurricanes’ home opener at Land Shark Stadium seven days away, the team began its focus on No. 15 Georgia Tech, working under the lights just over 48 hours after returning from Tallahassee early Tuesday morning.
Temperatures held in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s throughout, with a heat index reaching the upper 80’s by the end of the session.
The `Canes will return to the practice fields Friday morning before taking off on Saturday.
Sam Shields Post-Practice
After Thursday morning’s practice, several players met with members of the media to discuss the win over FSU and the upcoming game against Georgia Tech. Senior cornerback Sam Shields was among the group that was made available. He discussed a number of topics, including the win at Florida State, his first game as a cornerback and UM’s upcoming game against Georgia Tech.
On his first game as a cornerback – I had it in my head that I had to just go out there and play my game. Whatever happens happens. If something bad happens, I’ll take it out of my head and move on to the next play.
On defending a potential FSU touchdown pass – First I said to myself, I can’t let him catch it because if he catches it, it would be a touchdown. My first thought was to not let him catch it, face guard him and play the technique that coach (Wesley) McGriff has taught me.
On the excitement around the win at FSU – It is very exciting. We are playing well, playing together as a family. Everything is coming along well.
On teams testing him early in the season – I kind of knew that before the game started and before the season started. They look at that and (they think to themselves), we can go to this guy. They feel that they can make plays on me so I have to have confidence (in myself) knowing they want to make plays on me. That was one of my goals.
On last year’s defensive effort at Georgia Tech – Last year was last year. It is over with. We are a better group this year. Everybody is coming along great and we are working together.
Post-practice notes
Thursday’s practice was Miami’s first since beating No. 18 Florida State, 38-34, this past Monday in Tallahassee.
The practice lasted approximately an hour-and-a-half.
Temperatures held in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s, with a heat index reaching the upper 80’s by the end of the session.
The team will return to practice Friday morning.
The home-opener against Georgia Tech is seven days away.
Ratings Report: Miami-FSU
Miami’s season-opening win at Florida State on Labor Day night was ESPN’s second-most viewed regular season college football game in the history of the network – second to only the Miami-FSU Labor Day battle in 2006. Monday’s game recorded 5,820,001 household impressions, had 8,406,103 viewers and drew a rating of 5.89. The Hurricanes have now been a part of four of ESPN’s five most-watched regular season games on the network. The record 2006 Miami-FSU game garnered 6,329,828 household impressions and had a rating of 6.86.
Home Opener a Week Away
Miami’s home opener at Land Shark Stadium is a week from today on Thursday, Sept. 17 against Georgia Tech at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN. It will mark Miami’s second ESPN game this season and Georgia Tech’s second Thursday night game on ESPN in a span of seven days. The Yellow Jackets play their ACC season opener tonight when they host Clemson in Atlanta.
Jason Fox Featured Weekly on Sporting News Today
University of Miami offensive tackle Jason Fox is among 18 college football stars who’ll write weekly diaries throughout the season in Sporting News Today, the world’s first digital daily sports newspaper. The diaries, which will cover topics on the field and off it, begin this week. To sign up for the free digital newspaper, which is no fewer than 30 pages a day, go to sportingnewstoday.com. At 7 a.m. ET each day, subscribers are sent an e-mail directing them to that day’s edition.
Hurricane Hotline on 560 WQAM
Tune in to Hurricane Hotline tonight from 7-9 p.m. on 560 WQAM to hear reactions from head coach Randy Shannon, former Hurricane great Alonzo Highsmith and senior center A.J. Trump on Miami’s season-opening win at Florida State. Shannon will join hosts Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey, Jr. live at The Sports Exchange on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables (45 Miracle Mile; phone: 305-774-1222). Fans are encouraged to listen on 560 WQAM or view the show in-person at The Sports Exchange.
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. 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. 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.
