Canes Set To Battle Irish In Sun Bowl
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Despite a disappointing season ending with the firing of coach Randy Shannon, the Miami Hurricanes have the opportunity to end on a positive note with a win over longtime rival Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl.
The two heated rivals will meet for the first time since 1990.
"Catholics, convicts, we are familiar with that," senior cornerback Ryan Hill said Monday. "I'm sure in the next 20 days we are going to be reminded heavily through the media. We are excited about it."
Following a 7-5 record in the regular season, Shannon was fired Nov. 27. He went 28-22 in four years at his alma mater.
Shannon's predecessor has not been determined yet. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt is in New York for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame awards dinner, and he is expected to meet with potential candidates while there.
Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland was appointed interim coach, with the remaining assistants staying on the staff for the Dec. 31 bowl game.
"I don't know what else you could ask for. A Miami-Notre Dame matchup is pretty neat," Stoutland said. "A lot of history there between the two schools."
Notre Dame leads the series 15-7-1.
"It's not a BCS championship, but when you put Miami and Notre Dame together, we're not going there to lose, point blank, period," Hill said.
The Hurricanes will begin practices in Coral Gables on Dec. 11. They will fly to El Paso, Texas on Dec. 26 for their first appearance in the Sun Bowl.
"It's going to be real different up there," senior left tackle Orlando Franklin said. "I heard we might have to put on some sombreros and big cowboy boots so I'm all for it."
Stoutland will have a big decision ahead of him in terms as to who will start at quarterback. Junior Jacory Harris started 23 straight games before suffering a concussion on Oct. 30 in a loss to Virginia. Freshman Stephen Morris stepped in and has started the last four games guiding the Hurricanes a 2-2 mark. Harris relieved the ineffective Morris in the last game in a loss to South Florida ending Shannon's tenure.
"Forget about the quarterback, how about the starting right guard or the left tackle," Stoutland said. "To me it's open season. That's what's great about this opportunity. You have a chance to go out and compete. The window is open."
Notre Dame is led by standout receiver Michael Floyd.
"It's 'operation number three' for us in the secondary," Hill said. "We look forward to that because we feel we are the best secondary in the country and we feel that we can take on whoever, whenever, and however you want to get it."
Miami has lost three of its last four bowl games, including both games under Shannon.
"I'm hoping and praying that you're going to see a team full of energy and fired up to play this game," Stoutland said.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
