Dangerous Hurricanes

James' replacements impress at Orange and White game

Posted: Friday April 09, 1999 09:06 PM

Miami coach Butch Davis likes what he sees of his top two running backs. Scott Halleran/Allsport

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Miami Hurricanes coach Butch Davis says the team's running game is in fine shape despite losing Edgerrin James to the NFL draft.

James, who had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, is expected to be the second running back taken by the pros next weekend. His heirs apparent -- James Jackson and Najeh Davenport -- were on display in the annual Orange and White Scrimmage on Friday.

Jackson rushed 13 times for 66 yards (5.1 average). Davenport, who rushed for 387 yards and six TDs on 55 carries last year, was held to 25 yards on 11 carries. It was Jackson who caught Davis' eye on Friday.

"It's pretty obvious that he's a special runner," Davis said. "He makes guys miss in the hole and he looked today like he looked all year running behind Edgerrin."

The practice game was held on campus for the first time in decades due to concerns over the playing surface at the Orange Bowl. An Oliver Stone filming crew has been using the Orange Bowl as a backdrop for the upcoming pro football movie, "On Any Given Sunday."

Jackson believes he'll one day play on Sundays, and has gone so far as to predict a 2,000-yard season in 1999 if he is given the opportunities and he is able to stay healthy.

Two years ago, Jackson broke the school's freshman rushing record set by Chuck Foreman in 1969. Last year, he had 545 yards on 82 carries and five touchdowns.

Jackson is known for his speed and explosiveness on the field as well as the attitude, but he is expected to share time with Davenport.

The Hurricanes will have a new starting quarterback in sophomore Kenny Kelly, and Davis wants to maintain a strong presence on the ground to help take pressure off Kelly.

"I just think were very fortunate to have two dynamic runners," Davis said. "Those guys will keep each other fresh."

Kelly completed 10 of 20 passes Friday for 101 yards, but was intercepted twice.

The defense had four interceptions, two by Jeff Popovich and one each by Markese Fitzgerald and Ed Reed, and four sacks.

"I'm glad we have a great defense," said Kelly. "I know the offense is going to come around. We'll be ready this fall."

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