Free, on-field sneak peek at UM football
Wanted, after a 5-7 season: playmakers on the University of Miami football team.
Desperate for them: Hurricanes fans who will converge at Traz Powell Stadium at 6 p.m. Thursday for an intrasquad scrimmage and one of only two spring practices open to the public.
''You always want to look good in front of a crowd,'' receiver Kayne Farquharson said, flashing a broad smile. ``Always.''
UM center Xavier Shannon, a graduate student who transferred from Florida International and is the son of coach Randy Shannon, said he was excited that his ``entire family finally will get to see me -- mom, cousins, aunts. No matter if there's one person or 100,000, you want to play to the best of your ability.
``Defense wins some days. Offense wins some days. We're looking at this as the two-week championship.''
WHAT TO EXPECT
Coach Shannon said the controlled scrimmage, unlike the spring game March 29 at Lockhart Stadium, will not use the system that assigns points to the defense or offense for big plays. Instead, quarterbacks will lead series starting at the 35-yard line.
Fans also will see kickers Matt Bosher (who was disciplined for an undisclosed reason after practice and had to roll down the field and back) and newcomer Jake Wieclaw attempt some field goals.
Last year's scrimmage at Traz Powell didn't mean much, as eventual starter Kirby Freeman sat out and Kyle Wright shared reps with three walk-ons. But Shannon said after Wednesday's practice that the three scholarship quarterbacks -- Jacory Harris, Robert Marve and Cannon Smith (whom Shannon has nicknamed ''Smitty'') -- would get most of the snaps.
''We're going to give them an equal amount of reps to do some things,'' Shannon said. ``. . . There will be no changes, except for putting some fans out there. They may get excited because they're not practicing at Greentree. But after they get on the field, it becomes null and void because you don't hear much when you're on the field.''
Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland said Xavier Shannon will rotate with Matt Pipho and Tyler Horn. Behind Fox at left tackle is Tyrone Byrd, with Chris Rutledge behind Reggie Youngblood at right tackle. At left guard, with Orlando Franklin injured, are A.J. Trump and Chris Barney. The right guards are Joel Figueroa and Harland Gunn.
PRAISE FOR FRESHMEN
Defensive coordinator Bill Young wants his players to ``play hard, not make mental mistakes, chase the ball and hopefully force turnovers.''
Shannon said the eight freshmen who enrolled early are excelling. Four of them -- Harris, defensive tackle Marcus Forston, linebacker Sean Spence and receiver Aldarius Johnson -- graduated from Miami Northwestern High and played their home games at Traz Powell.
''The young guys are doing very well,'' Shannon said. Getting into camp has helped them be more like redshirt freshmen instead of true freshmen. They're making a lot of plays and getting the tempo and [learning] how physical it's going to be, and also how to finish. They're going over and beyond.''
• Traz Powell Stadium is on the north campus of Miami Dade College, 11380 NW 27th Avenue. There is no charge.
Read more at www.miamiherald.com
