Hurricanes Preparing For Saturday's Season Opener
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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – The Miami Hurricanes' focus on Tuesday was all on Bethune Cookman as Miami began implementing their game plan for Saturday night's 6 p.m. opener.
Miami suffered a big loss this week as running back Gus Edwards will miss the entire season.
That means sophomore Joe Yearby and freshman Mark Walton will get the bulk of the carries.
Last year Duke Johnson carried the ball 248 times with Yearby getting 86 runs and Edwards 61. Walton and Yearby will have to combine for over 200 carries with Trayone Gray getting the remainder. Yearby and Walton need to stay healthy.
"We need to make sure we get the ball to all our playmakers," said Hurricanes offensive coordinator James Coley.
The Canes offense went to work on a Bethune defense that will be young this year, as they lost all-conference linebacker Tavarus Dantzler to the Green Bay Packers, as well as All-American defensive end LeBranden Richardson (who was a senior).
Also lost from last year's team due to graduation are defensive end Erik Williams and defensive tackle all-conference performer Rony Barrow (now with the Tampa Bay Storm).
The Miami defense began preparing for a Bethune offense that will be led by several returning players, including preseason all-league selection Quentin Williams at quarterback. Also expected to play will be redshirt sophomore Larry Brihm.
Bethune will feature a spread offense with a lot of zone read concepts.
The Canes defense is deeper and more experienced in 2015. Several players have a chance to make a big impact such as linebackers Jermaine Grace and Raphael Kirby.
Look for outside linebacker Darrion Owes to take his game to a new level and the secondary should be solid.
One of the biggest keys for the Canes as they start the season is to cut down on self-inflicted wounds.
"We need to be a more consistent team and create some positive momentum," said head coach Al Golden following Tuesday's practice.
It all starts Saturday at 6 p.m. inside the newly renovated Sun Life Stadium.
