sports_m-footbl_spec-rel_082598
August 25, 1998
Coral Gables, FL – The University of Miami football team concluded preseasontraining camp with its last two-a-day practice today at Mark Light Stadium.The Hurricanes used both sessions to prepare for tomorrow’s Broward CanesFestat Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. UM practiced in pads duringthe morning workout and conducted a special teams walk-thru in shorts inthe afternoon.
Head coach Butch Davis said he was very pleased with the extraordinaryeffort his team put forth during the 13-day training camp.
“I think we ended training camp on a very positive note,” said Davis.”The players pushed themselves and exerted the type of effort we like tosee on the field.”
Davis said several starting positions are still up for grabs includingthe middle linebacker spot where Nate Webster and Rod Mack are battlingfor first-team honors. Davis said he expects to determine the starterby week’s end.
“A lot of our decision will be based on play making ability and consistency,”said Davis. “The linebackers have to be highly technical, being inthe right place and doing the right things on the field all of the time.Rod Mack has some strong points as does Nate Webster. It’s not alwaysabout who makes the most plays but who makes the fewer mental mistakesin conjunction with making big plays.”
Davis also said he is pleased with the play of true freshmen MichaelRumph (DB), Chris Campbell (LB), and Sheven Marshall (LB) and expects thetrio to see playing time this season.
“Mike, Chris and Sheven had spectacular training camps,” exclaimedDavis. “They performed exactly how we expected them to and gave 100percent on a daily basis. Those players are definitely going to seesome playing time.”
Tomorrow’s CanesFest at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale will bea combination of regular practice drills and scrimmage. The Hurricanesare expected to conduct a 30-45 play controlled scrimmage. The gatesto Broward CanesFest open at 6:00 p.m. with practice beginning at 6:30.
The Hurricanes open their season on September 5th at 7:30 p.m. in theOrange Bowl against East Tennessee State. Season and single-gametickets can be purchased at the UM ticket office and all TicketMaster locations,or by calling 1-800-GO-CANES.
Schedule of Events
August 26, CanesFest-Broward (practice), 6:00 p.m., LockhartStadium, Ft. Lauderdale.
