sports_m-footbl_spec-rel_110598

November 5, 1998

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 24th-rankedUniversity of Miami Hurricanes
held a two-hour practice today at Greentree Practice Field. Under
threatening skies as tropical storm Mitch passed through the
south-Florida area, the Canes used the session to focus on all facetsof
special teams play.
“We had a good practicetoday,” said coach Butch Davis. “One of
the advantages of an open-week is it gives you an opportunity for self
evaluation, and a chance to work on things that you typically don’tget
to spend a lot of time doing during game-week.”
The Hurricanes head intoWeek 8 of the schedule averaging 191.9
yards a game rushing, with running back Edgerrin James averaging 108.4.
Davis points to the play of the offensive line, specifically the left
guard Richard Mercier. Mercier missed nearly all of 1997 after
reconstructive knee surgery following the season-opener at Baylor.
“Richard is one of our offensiveleaders,” said Davis. “He
means so much to this team. He gives great effort every playand is
someone that the rest of the players look up to. We have beenable to
do some things offensively this season that we could not do last and
having him back in the lineup is one of the primary reasons why.”
The Hurricanes will practicetomorrow at 3:15 and are scheduled
to have Saturday off before returning to their game-week practice
schedule on Sunday.
UM returns to action onNovember 14th, traveling to Temple. The
game will be televised live on Sports Channel starting at 4:00.