Straight From The Source

Recently we had the chance to chat with University of Miami student Justin Antweil about the upcoming football season for the Hurricanes.

 

Justin is the sports editor for The Miami Hurricane, the student newspaper at UM.  He is also the sports director for WVUM, the student radio station.

 

 

You can read his articles at themiamihurricane.com and listen to him and his staff broadcast all Hurricane home football games at wvum.org. 

 

1.  We hear from the UM ticket office that sales are WAY up this year.  UM AD Kirby Hocutt and the newly hired Chris Freet as SID is changing the way UM communicates with their fans for the better. What's the general consensus on how students at UM feel about the players, coaches and direction of the team?

Students at UM are extremely excited and optimistic about the season. I think every student will put his or her name in the lottery to try and get the right to buy tickets to the Ohio State game. But I think students are ready to see this team win on a consistent basis. From a public relations standpoint, the school is happy to report high Academic Progress Reports and a great Graduation Rates but the bottom line is fans just want to win. The current seniors at UM have not seen UM win a bowl game in their four year tenure. Miami is a football school first and foremost and it’s time Miami gets back to its winning ways.

 

2. Many Canes fans feel that the 2010 team may go 10-2 and compete for an ACC title.  We have a group of hard core fans known as the 12%ers that believe (like every year) that the Hurricanes will be undefeated and compete for a BCS Championship.  Still other's have their doubts about the experience, talent and depth on this team and see another 9-3 season ahead with 2011 as the year the Canes once again grasp the Holy Grail.  Where do you fall along this continuum?

 

I would define a successful season as making the BCS National Title game. January 8, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona is the only date and place UM fans should have on their minds. Once you make it to the big game, you have no control what happens (cough cough pass interference call against OSU). Miami has improved every year under Randy Shannon going from five to seven to nine wins, now it’s time to make the next step. There is really no excuse. Players are not young, the same pairing of coordinators return and there is finally depth on the roster excluding tight ends and linebackers. It’s hard to believe Miami has yet to even make the ACC Title game since they switched conferences. The ACC is not a premiere conference in football, it’s known for its basketball prowess. This team has all the tools, the big question is can these athletes become football players and make plays on the gridiron. We hear a lot about All-Americans on Green Tree Practice Field, now let’s see it when it counts.

 

3. We know the offense is loaded with talent at the skill positions but some fans are still concerned about the UM offensive line.  Do you have any clear evidence that the OL will be able to keep QB Jacory Harris standing upright and most importantly staying healthy all season long?

 

I have an extreme amount of confidence in the offensive line. While they allowed 35 sacks last year and were abysmal in the bowl game against Wisconsin, this year they have depth and talent. Orlando Franklin will be solid on the offensive line and Joel Figueroa will make the seamless transition from guard to tackle. Tyler Horn can do a serviceable job at center like AJ Trump did last year. And there is plenty of depth. Players like Brandon Linder, Shane McDermott and Malcolm Bunche won’t even start and they could be starting at a lot of other BCS schools. The big wild card is what does Randy Shannon and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland do with Seantrel Henderson, the top offensive line prospect in the country. He’s too good to redshirt. I think he starts by the Florida State game. He’s just too talented to be watching from the sideline.

 

4. Now about the linebacker situation, what do your sources and senses tell you that Randy Shannon is going to do at MLB?  Kylan Robinson?  Surely U must be kidding?

 

Randy Shannon, a former linebacker himself, just loves veteran linebackers. We’ve seen him play Tavares Gooden, Romeo Davis, Glenn Cook, Darryl Sharpton and now he’s hyping up Kylan Robinson. There’s a reason why Robinson has not seen meaningful action during his tenure. I don’t trust K-Rob at all. I think Colin McCarthy will slide over to MLB and Jordan Futch, once healthy as he recovers from ACL surgery, will start at OLB.

 

5. The schedule, especially early on, is brutal.  What games do you see as Miami's toughest challenges or match-ups along the way?

 

While it is brutal, that’s why you come to Miami. To play in big time games. But the schedule is not as tough as it seems. Miami’s toughest ACC games are at home at Sun Life Stadium. They play Florida State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina all in Miami Gardens. That’s a big advantage. I think the biggest game will be October 2^nd against Clemson in Death Valley. That will set the tone for ACC Play. Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker is expected to return and not sign a pro deal with the Colorado Rockies.

 

6. Now for the REALLY important stuff: How are the cheerleaders looking in tryouts and early practice this year and do you have any video or photos of the 2010 squad?

Unfortunately I have no inside nuggets about any five star recruits the cheerleading squad brought in. Personally, I prefer the Sunsations over UM’s cheerleaders.

Comments

[86Cane]

Just back from the 941, home of my 2009 LOF pick Sam "Lambeau Leap" Shields.

Long week. BTW when I was in Fort Myers on Wednesday I saw on the news that Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) wants to go D-I and start a football program.

I went to see UM play them in baseball this year over in Fort Myers. I'll dig it up.

[86Cane]

CGNC...look what I found (Solar do NOT click on theis link!):

http://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c6725888340120a901b397970b-pi

[86Cane]

C-Mac looking like a hunk while hanging out with mini-CGNC (For DZ8):

http://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c67258883401347ff168fd970c-pi

[86Cane]

UM NURSE WARRIOR:

Two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan exposed alumna Hope Williamson, D.N.P. UM Class of '10, to the gruesome sights of war: soldiers with severe burns and limbs so badly injured they needed to be amputated. But through it all, Williamson maintained her poise, concentrating on her responsibilities as a U.S. Army major and combat nurse supervising medical operations in field and serving as a primary support specialist for medics.

Last week, she departed for her third mission in Afghanistan, taking with her a suite of new medical and leadership skills she acquired as a recent graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies.

“I learned the true meaning of evidence-based practice and leadership and will apply these new skills to provide more compassionate care for our men and women critically injured in combat,” Williamson said during a recent private meeting with Dean Nilda Peragallo, who honored the UM graduate before her departure.

“In the combat zone I wear a firearm on my side and never forget that I am a soldier first,” said Williamson, a resident of Sacramento, California, who comes from a large military family—her father served in the Air Force and three of her seven brothers were in the Army and Marines. “I am prepared to do whatever is needed to protect my team and country, but at the same time I am committed to saving lives. I guess ‘Nurse Warrior’ really sums it up.”

[86Cane]

University of Miami student-athletes Allen Bailey, Matt Bosher, and Brandon Harris have been named first-team selections to the 2010 Preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference Football Team in voting by media members at the annual ACC Football Kickoff.

Bailey made this year’s preseason squad as a defensive end. Harris represents UM as a cornerback, while Bosher made the team as both a kicker and punter.

As a junior in 2009, Bailey led Miami in sacks (7) and tackles for a loss (11), while leading all UM defensive linemen with 34 total tackles. He ranked fourth in the ACC in sacks per game (0.58) and tied for seventh in tackles for a loss per game (0.92). He was named to the regular season first-team All-ACC squad as a defensive tackle by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, Rivals.com, and Phil Steele Magazine.

Bosher was named to the 2009 All-ACC team as a first-team kicker and second-team punter after connecting on 14 of 16 field goal attempts and averaging 42.5 yards per punt. He was also chosen to the Rivals.com All-ACC first team as a kicker and to the Phil Steele All-ACC first team as a kicker and second team as a punter. He connected on 12 straight field goals as a junior in 2009. His 87.5 field goal percentage ranked third in the ACC, and he was a perfect 50 of 50 in point-after-touchdown attempts. In ACC play last season, Bosher led the conference with a 42.9 yards-per-punt average.

Harris was named to All-America honors by SI.com, the Associated Press, and Phil Steele Magazine as a sophomore in 2009. He led the ACC and ranked second in the nation in passes defended per game (1.31). He tied for second in the nation in pass breakups per game (15) and third in passes defended (17). He ranked third on UM’s defense with 58 total tackles.

The Hurricanes will open the 2010 season against Florida A&M on Thursday, September 2 at Sun Life Stadium. For ticket information for the 2010 season, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit www.hurricanesports.com.

[86Cane]

Here is FGCU article:

http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2010/04/west-coast-swing.html

[solarcane]

OK I won't open that link,
but it better not be CG's snow woman sporting Canespace and wearing a very very well endowed snowlift bra.

[usagainstheworld]

streeter!

[usagainstheworld]

Grew up in Miami and played football at K land....i experienced the Dade County football machine.... actually it was 1975 and Dade

I also played @ K land from 72 to 75 or 76...

Where did U go to school?

Posted by: OCALACANE | August 19, 2010 at 03:59 PM

ocala-- i played at richmond perrine optimist club early 80s. i wonder who else experienced the miami-dade football machine?

[Canez1]

Trouser trout.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[solarcane]

...

[mi@mic@ne]

Grew up in Miami and played football at K land....i experienced the Dade County football machine.... actually it was 1975 and Dade

I also played @ K land from 72 to 75 or 76...

Where did U go to school?

Posted by: OCALACANE | August 19, 2010 at 03:59 PM
I played for Lawnworth crow in the 75s i think. and for Burns in the 115s... then went to the varsity as a freshman.

Miami Christian... we had a big rivalry with Westminster Christian in 75... thats where i scored to beat them...there were a lot of media that day at the field.

[mi@mic@ne]

We were playing Westminster to see who would remain unbeaten... we went 10 and O that yr and lost in state.

[86Cane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

[360Cane]

Dang! All you guys had nice stories. Ok, my turn!!!

It was 1985, and my dad walks in my room at 6am to wake me up for a photo shoot for the local paper. I was like, "WTH?" I walk downstairs and see Dave Wannstedt sitting in our living room (as the story really goes...they say he actually slept in his car in our driveway to make sure he signed my brother). My dad says, "Your brother has decided to join the University of Miami."

The reason he chose the Canes is because my dad was stationed at Wright Paterson Airforce Base in Dayton, OH. My brother, 6'7", played DE, and was going to HS at Wayne in Huber Heights, OH (where Braxton Miller is currently playing). Both my folks are originally from Polk County (Moms went to Bartow HS and Pops went to Ft. Meade HS), and my dad was about to retire that summer after 22 years in the Army. We moved back to Florida, and my brother wanted to be close enough for us to come see him play.

A side note: We actually watched the 1985 Super Bowl (Da Bears!) with Howard Schnellenberger while we were at Louisville for a recruiting trip. I am not sure if JJ or HS tipped each other off about my brother. This was before Rivals, Scout, internet, etc. Just in case for you youngins.

My brother roomed with Mike Sullivan and The C.H.U.D. (Rob Chudzinski). Russell Maryland use to come to their room all the time. Practically lived there from what my brother tells me.

He only gave it one year though, and transferred to USF to play rugby where he met his wife (she played on the women's rugby team). Football to rugby, go figure! As of today, I know he doesn't regret it, but I bet he sure as heck wish he had that ring they got the next year and in '89.

My most memorable moment as a Cane is hard to say. I have tons!

Here is a funny one. I was only 10 years old when we flew out to the Fiesta Bowl. I think we were at some luncheon or something. My dad was talking to Jim Kelly. He went to introduce me, and said this is the guy we were watching on TV the other night. I went and hid. I was a little shy then. LOL

P.S. If you watch The U documentary, and see when they show the shot of the 1986 team, my brother is first row, two or three dudes to the right of Vinny wearing #60. Yup, he's a part of the fatigues!

GO CANES!!!

[DZ8]

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[CGNC]

Last

[renter]

Can anyone tell me how these hurricanes are named?