By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
 
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Start spreading the news, the Canes are ready to play.
 
The Miami Hurricanes are headed to New York City for a rematch against last year’s bowl opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers. 
 
“I’m looking forward to it,” senior Jaquan Johnson said. “I’ve never been to New York before so it’s going to be quite the experience. My family is going to go up there. I’m looking forward to the rematch with Wisconsin. I know those guys are fired up again to be playing against us, looking forward to opportunity.”
 
The two teams will meet in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. For many Canes, it will be their first trip to The Big Apple, but every Cane is looking forward to the opportunity to play in one of the most famous venues in sports.
 
“It’s the second time for me going to New York,” senior defensive back Sheldrick Redwine said. “I went to New York a couple years ago when I was younger, but that’ll be a great experience playing in Yankee Stadium. That’ll be a great experience.”
 
As part of that experience, the Canes and Badgers will be playing in some chilly temperatures. But Miami’s players are confident they are ready to face Wisconsin in any weather.
 
“Playing in the cold is not so much of a factor like people think it is,” senior Tyree St. Louis said. “Once you get started, once you get moving around and active on the field, you’ll forget you’re even cold because you’re still playing the game.” 
 
With temperatures expected in the thirties, Miami’s players are mentally prepared to play the Badgers in cold weather. In fact, the game day forecast has some Canes are dreaming of a white Christmas.
 
“I like it. I hope it snows,” sophomore wide receiver Mike Harley said. “But at the same time it’s a mental thing. We’re mentally tough now. We played four away games in the cold so we’re used to it. It’s no big deal.” 
 
No matter what the weather is, the Canes are motivated to avenge their 34-24 loss in last year’s Capitol One Orange Bowl and UM’s veterans are pushing their teammates to make sure Miami comes out with a victory this time.
 
“It’s mainly just that team beat us last year in our home in a big time bowl game in a great season that we had,” St. Louis said. “That was just kind of upsetting. We didn’t do what we needed to do last year and we’re not going to let that happen again.”
 
The senior leaders on the 2018 Hurricanes roster have already begun setting the tone for this season’s bowl game.
 
“Any time we take the field, we think it’s a championship game,” Johnson said. “We know everybody is going to give that championship effort. When we scrimmage each other, we’re fired up so definitely when we get to play another team we’re going to be fired up.”
 
Redwine echoed his fellow safety’s sentiments and knows every players wearing a U on his helmet will be giving his best effort when the game kicks off on Dec. 27 at 5:15 p.m.

“We’re fired up to play football,” Redwine said. “It’s another opportunity for me to come out here and play football with my teammates. It could’ve been the National Championship and we’re going to approach it the same or it could’ve been a regular season game playing against a high school team. We’re always going to be fired up.” 
 
Many of Miami’s seniors are top pro prospects, but they are all relishing the opportunity to wear a Hurricane uniform one final time.
 
“I came back to play this final game with my brothers,” Johnson said. “I mean any chance I get to play football, I’m going to take full advantage.”
 
“We’re all excited to be back on the football field doing what we love and now getting a rematch against a team we should’ve beat last year,” St. Louis said.
 
In addition to finishing the 2018 season on a high note, Miami’s players know what a win over Wisconsin would mean heading into next season.
 
“Everyone remembers when you win a bowl game,” Harley said. “It’s the last game. This game will give us a little hype, a little respect for next year and get us ready for next year. We’re taking this bowl game seriously like it’s a national championship.”
 
“Next year is going to be a way better year than what this year was,” sophomore running back DeeJay Dallas said. “I mean, we came into this season with high expectations and it didn’t go how we wanted it to go. So, bounce back year. Revenge tour starts next week. So, I’m excited. We start next season off with Wisconsin, so that is how I am feeling about this.”