sports_m-footbl_spec-rel_090898

September 8, 1998

CORAL GABLES, FL — The University of Miami Hurricanes conducted a two-hourpractice in pads this afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s game at Cincinnati(3:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net). Sophomore defensive tackle Clint Hurtt(knee), sophomore wide receiver Santana Moss (jaw) and junior linebackerMichael Smith (ankle) each returned to practice from injuries.
Hurtt participated in an entire practice with the team for the firsttime this fall. The 6-4, 295 pound tackle had arthroscopic surgeryon his right knee during the off-season.

“We worked Clint (Hurtt) in on some of the individual drills and thenwith the Scout Team,” said Head Coach Butch Davis. “At the end ofpractice, he took some repetitions with the second unit and did well.”

In all, Davis has been very pleased with the health of the squad.“One of the most positives things coming out of Saturday’s game was thelack of injuries that occurred in an opening ballgame. One of theby-products of the off-season strength and conditioning program has beenand hopefully will continue to be the good fortune of staying healthy,staying fresh and being able to practice effectively a few days after agame.”

The team began in earnest its preparation for Cincinnati (0-1).Davis warned of the Bearcats’ ability to bounce back from a loss.Cincinnati lost to Tulane, 52-34, on Saturday.

“I thought the focus on preparing for Cincinnati was very good,” saidDavis. “I thought our players were really zeroing in and focusingon the game plan. Cincinnati will provide a challenge. Theyare a team with a history of bouncing back from a loss. In the pastthey have pulled off some upsets and really given teams fits followinga loss. ”

Prior to the road trip to Cincinnati, Hurricane fans are encouragedto be a part of the studio audience for this week’s taping of the ButchDavis Television Show, and the live, weekly radio show “Hurricane Hotline.”

The Butch Davis Show, which airs every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on WPLGChannel 10 and at 11:00 p.m. on SportsChannel, will be taped at Shula’sSteak 2 in Miami Lakes, Thursday at noon.

Hurricane Hotline, a two-hour weekly call-in show featuring Butch Davisand other guests which airs from 6-8 p.m. Thursday’s on 940 AM (WINZ) withhost Dave LaMont, will take place at the Longhorn Steak House, 1630 N.W.87th Ave.
Season and single-game tickets for Hurricane home games are availableat the UM ticket office and all TicketMaster locations, or can be orderedby phone at 1-800-GO-Canes.

INJURY REPORT: There were no new injuries to report. Davis announcedearlier in the day that junior linebacker James Sutton is expected to miss8-10 days with a sprained knee.