UM Football Tickets A Hot Commodity Again
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – In the college football world, hope and anticipation will get you to the first game, but getting fans to the successive game requires winning.
While University of Miami has slowly improved over the last few years, a big step forward is expected this season and the ticket sales are jumping as a result.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, season-ticket sales for the Miami Hurricanes are up more than 6,000 from last year and considering that the Canes have played before some small crowds since moving to Sun Life Stadium, that's some welcome news to the school.
Much of the anticipation for the upcoming season rests not on the opening game of the season against Florida Atlantic, but on the second game of the year on September 7 against the Florida Gators. If you're hoping to get a seat to the game, good luck and get ready to pay.
According to the Herald, individual tickets for the Gators game are sold out and only available from season-ticket holders or on the secondary market like StubHub.
The Canes hope to sell roughly 30,000 season tickets by the time the UF game rolls around and the season tickets are still available, and do include tickets to the UF game. UM told the Herald the jump in season ticket sales is the "largest year-to-year growth we have on record."
It's easy to see why Canes fans have plenty of hope for the upcoming season.
UM returns an NFL-ready quarterback in Stephen Morris for his senior season. Morris led an explosive offense last year and is looking to go out a winner. The senior quarterback is a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate and pro scouts are already projecting him as a top quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Last season, Morris threw for 3,345 yards, 21 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. Morris hopes to improve his completion percentage from 58.2 percent and has a litany of dangerous receivers at his disposal, plus one of the nation's top running backs.
UM is expecting another big season from running back Duke Johnson after he ran for 947 yards as a true freshman last season. Johnson averaged nearly 7 yards per carry last season and will team with Morris to form one of the best offensive backfields in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
But, UM will only go as far as their defense can improve. The Canes defense was one of the worst in the country last year and just raising their play slightly could be the difference between Miami playing for the ACC championship or sitting at home in December.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Miami Herald contributed to this report.)
