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Suspended Marve Watches As UM Cruises In Opener

The Associated Press

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, left, scrambles to avoid Charleston Southern's Josh Mitchell during the second quarter of a football game in Miami on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

MIAMI - Just after the Miami Hurricanes sprinted into their new home on Thursday night — through the familiar billowing cloud of smoke — No. 9 was the last player to emerge from the Dolphin Stadium tunnel.

Starting quarterback Robert Marve, serving a one-game suspension, took the long route to the sideline while walking with other suspended or injured UM players. He stopped to shake hands with a familiar face in the crowd. Then he became a spectator, not needing to break a sweat.

That's about to change.

Although freshman quarterback Jacory Harris led UM's 52-7 cake-walk victory against Division I-AA Charleston Southern before 48,119 fans, Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon reiterated that it's Marve's ballgame from this point forward.

"Robert is the starter the rest of the season," Shannon said.

Marve, who last played a competitive game while leading Plant High to the Class 4A state title in 2006, finally returns to action on Sept. 6.

Against the University of Florida — at The Swamp.

More on that — plenty more — during next week's buildup.

Thursday night might have been UM's opener. But make no mistake. Its season truly begins in Gainesville, where Shannon learns more about how his young team can handle adversity.
The result against Charleston Southern was just a baby step.

Harris, the reigning Florida Mr. Football who last season led Miami Northwestern to the Class 6A state title, generally handled himself well. According to Shannon, Harris will need to mature quickly. Even with Marve as the starter, Harris is expected to play in every game.

Harris was the first freshman quarterback to start a UM season opener since 1983 (Bernie Kosar).
"We need two quarterbacks," Shannon said. "If one of them goes down, we don't want the other to go in there with no experience. Robert starts, but they both will play."

Harris played pretty well against the Buccaneers. With quick feet and a deceptively strong arm, Harris led touchdown drives on UM's first three possessions, including a 30-yard scoring run on a broken play (on fourth-and-6).

He also tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson, while finishing 16 of 26 for 190 yards before being replaced by Cannon Smith (another freshman) in the fourth quarter. Harris' best friend was UM's running game, which produced scores by Javarris James, Graig Cooper and Derron Thomas.
Cooper also had a 66-yard punt-return touchdown.

As expected, it was a night of revelry and minimal resistance by an overmatched opponent. After a 71-year run at the Orange Bowl (which has been demolished), the Hurricanes hope this is the start of a new, successful era at Dolphin Stadium.

It will be different, that's for sure.

For one thing, UM had to operate through a baseball infield (the Marlins also use the stadium). But unlike its previous cramped quarters, there was plenty of available parking. Thousands of UM tailgaters were in place by mid-afternoon.

"We're young," UM fan Cesar Rojas said. "But this team is going to grow up."

Beginning Sept. 6, with Marve back in charge, the Hurricanes will need to grow up in a hurry.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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