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5 Things You Might Not Know About The Hurricanes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

Led By A Champion

•Coach Randy Shannon won a national championship as a player (1987) and as an assistant coach (2001) at Miami.

Don't Make It A Trend

•The Hurricanes are coming off their first losing season since 1997 after posting a 5-7 record last season. The last time UM has had back-to-back losing seasons was in 1976-77.

Local Flavor

•Ten Hurricanes graduated from Northwestern High in Miami, including seven true freshmen.

Moving In

•Miami will be playing its home games in Dolphin Stadium after signing 25-year lease, ending 70 years of playing in the Orange Bowl.

Education Matters

•Miami received the eighth-highest Academic Progress Report mark out of 119 Bowl Subdivision football programs in a report released by the NCAA this spring. Of the 23 seniors on this year's team, 13 already have earned degrees, while the remaining 10 are on course to graduate within the next year.

SOMETHING TO PROVE

Running back JAVARRIS JAMES

CLASS: Junior

HT, WT: 6-0, 214

HOMETOWN: Immokalee

HIGH SCHOOL: Immokalee

James rushed for 582 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 3.7 yards a carry in 2007 after rushing for more than 800 yards as a true freshman. Many expected him to be the next great back at UM, a group that includes his cousin Edgerrin James, but he needs to have a big year to validate the praise. He has 31 career receptions, and he could be used heavily in the passing game this season.

EXPECTING BIG THINGS FROM ...

WR ALDARIUS JOHNSON

CLASS: Freshman HT, WT: 6-2, 206 HOMETOWN: Miami HIGH SCHOOL: Northwestern

WHY HE'S READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT: Johnson graduated early and participated in spring practices, and he immediately made his presence felt. He is a big target with good speed, excellent hands, toughness and the ability to make the tough catch. Miami needs a receiver to step up and ease the pressure on the young quarterbacks. Johnson, a solid possession receiver, should be that guy.

POINT ...

The Hurricanes will meet expectations if ...

•They get steady play from the quarterbacks, who need to show they can lead a team.

•The new scheme by defensive coordinator Bill Young helps create more turnovers and big plays.

•Running backs Javarris James and Graig Cooper can be an elite duo and pick up chunks of yardage.

... COUNTERPOINT

The Hurricanes will fall short of expectations if ...

•Inconsistency and inexperience at quarterback prove to be too much, as the Hurricanes have four freshmen at the position.

•Defensive linemen Allen Bailey and Marcus Forston are not the game-changing players they are expected to be. The unit does not include a lot of top-level players.

•The receivers are unable to come up with big plays to create excitement for the team and provide a boost to the offense.

ON THE SLATE

Today: Charleston Southern, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN360) - First home game at Dolphin Stadium after playing at the Orange Bowl for 70 years.

Sept. 6: At Florida, 8 p.m. (ESPN) - The schools are reuniting for the first time since Miami defeated the Gators 27-10 in the 2004 Peach Bowl. They aren't scheduled to meet again until 2013.

Sept. 20: At Texas A&M, TBA - Unranked Miami won 34-17 in last year's matchup against the Aggies who came in ranked 16th. First-year coach Mike Sherman has implemented a pro-style offense in place of the option-style used under Dennis Franchione.

Sept. 28: North Carolina, TBA - Coach Butch Davis returns to Miami after coaching the Hurricanes for six seasons and being an instrumental piece to the 2001 national championship team.

Oct. 4: Florida State, TBA - Miami is 7-2 in the last nine games against FSU, including a 37-29 victory last season in Tallahassee.

Oct. 11: UCF, TBA - It is the first meeting between the schools, which will face each other again in 2009.

Oct. 18: At Duke, TBA - Miami has narrowly escaped with victories against Duke the past two seasons, with a 20-15 victory in 2006 and a 24-14 triumph last season.

Oct. 25: Wake Forest, TBA - Junior quarterback Riley Skinner led the nation in completion percentage at 72.4 and has tied the school record with 18 wins as a starter.

Nov. 1: At Virginia, TBA - The Cavaliers defeated Miami 48-0 last year in the final game at the Orange Bowl.

Nov. 13: Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) - Miami has lost four of the last five contests against Virginia Tech, including a 44-14 loss last season.

Nov. 20: At Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) - Miami has lost three in a row against the Yellow Jackets, by a combined total of 14 points.

Nov. 29: At N.C. State, TBA - N.C. State kicked a 42-yard field goal in overtime to defeat the Hurricanes 19-16.

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