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After 19-day layoff, Hurricanes seek to keep focus against Pittsburgh.
By MICHAEL SNYDER
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 2001
CORAL GABLES -- Rhythm.
It's a crucial element of football. Without it, drives shrivel and seasons wither away. It's been almost three weeks since the No. 1 football team in the country played a game, and Miami coach Larry Coker hopes his Hurricanes haven't lost their rhythm.
"You do worry about losing that edge," Coker said. "It's very, very important to get that edge back because we were going to get in the rhythm of playing every week."
A natural season's progression was halted when Miami's game against Washington, scheduled for Sept. 15, was postponed until Nov. 24 because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Hurricanes were scheduled for a bye week Sept. 22, so that meant a 19-day lapse between games. To put it in perspective, fall practice only lasts three weeks.
Miami (2-0, 1-0 Big East) travels to Pittsburgh tonight to play the Panthers (1-1, 0-0). Because of the time off, there's some concern Miami's players might be rusty early, especially at the skill positions where timing is important. But quarterback Ken Dorsey doesn't foresee problems.
"We're a lot more focused this week than we were last week," said Dorsey, who spent Saturday playing golf. "We're so much more into what we want to do this season that a lack of preparation isn't even in the deck of cards. We're ready to go."
When the season began, this game looked to be a challenge. The Panthers seemed to be a young, improving team. After being humbled at home by South Florida, many think Pittsburgh was vastly overrated.
"We thought they'd be one of the better teams we'd play," Coker said. "For them to save their season, they have to have a good showing against the University of Miami. We certainly can't look at the South Florida game and see what we're going to see from the real Pittsburgh team.
"They're going to bring their A game for us."
A as in Antonio?
Panthers receiver Antonio Bryant, last season's Biletnikoff Award winner and a Miami Northwestern High graduate, has been out since Sept. 1 with a sprained left ankle. His status is uncertain.
"It makes no difference to us (whether he plays)," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "If he's there, he's going to be there, but if he's not -- sorry. He makes their offense because he's their best player, and we know if he's in the game they're going to get him the ball."
Even so, the 'Canes never have had trouble stopping Bryant. His numbers in two games against his hometown team: six catches, 51 yards, no touchdowns.
Pittsburgh also has a new quarterback in David Priestly, a freshman at running back (Raymond Kirkley) and three new starters on the offensive line. Miami has won seven of the past eight against Pitt, the loss coming in 1997 when UM went 5-6.
Miami opened this season by outscoring Penn State and Rutgers by a combined 94-7. The 'Canes seemed to be hitting their stride when they were sidelined. Can they get the groove back?
"Are we concerned about being rusty with a 19-day layoff? There's no doubt about it," Coker said. "We were in a pretty good rhythm, playing pretty well, and we were healthy. With the layoff, we'll see. We're not going to let that be an excuse.
"We're 2-0. We've won two games, no more than that. We have a lot left to play, and a lot left to prove. How good is Rutgers? How good is Penn State? We don't know. We're still trying to figure out how good we are."
Coker gave his players three days off. Many used the time to study, be with family and friends, shop, go to the beach or work out. No one has lost focus.
"Guys just want to win," offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski said. "They want to win a national championship one game at a time. If we keep that attitude, we'll be fine."