The last time a University of Miami freshman quarterback started in a season opener was on Sept. 3, 1983. His name was Bernie Kosar, he lost 28-3 to the Florida Gators in Gainesville and his Hurricanes went on to win 11 consecutive games and their first national title.

On Thursday night, a night of many firsts, freshman Jacory Harris -- less than a year removed from high school -- will take the helm in his first collegiate game and Miami's regular-season debut at Dolphin Stadium. Harris, who was named starter after redshirt freshman Robert Marve was suspended, will face a Charleston Southern team far less illustrious than the Gators (more on them next week before the Sept. 6 game at The Swamp).

But his task will be no less vital: to help lead the Hurricanes back from the abyss.

''It will be a great feeling to look up and see you're playing in this humongous stadium,'' said Harris, 18, who is a year less experienced than redshirt freshman Kosar was in his debut. ``I'm treating this as a regular game, or like it's practice. Go out there with no pressure. As long as my team, my fans and the coaches are behind me, I'll be all right.''

Last season, former defensive coordinator Randy Shannon's first as head coach, the Hurricanes finished 5-7, their worst showing in 30 years. Buoyed by a nationally heralded recruiting class and coaching changes that include a well-respected veteran defensive coordinator in Bill Young, Shannon is intent on moving forward.

''We just have to keep working and building the foundation, building depth,'' Shannon said. ``We feel like we're going to be a lot better team than we were last year. These guys understand that we [went] through a lot. We understand what losing is and we understand about not taking opponents lightly.''

THE OPPONENT

This opponent is in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA. The Buccaneers, out of Charleston, S.C., finished 5-6 last season with a 1-3 record in the Big South. The Bucs use a spread offense and have a new quarterback in Clemson transfer Tribble Reese. His top receiver is All-Big South target Dee Brown, who had 69 receptions for 898 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007.

Last September, the Bucs lost 66-10 to Hawaii. They are 0-4 against Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I) teams. They have been mistakenly referred to by UM players or coaches as South Carolina Southern, Georgia Southern and Charles Southern, but not for lack of respect.

''Never doubt anyone,'' freshman linebacker Jordan Futch said. ``Look what happened last year when Appalachian State beat Michigan.''

Futch, out of Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, is one of 14 freshmen listed on the two-deep depth chart (not including special teams) distributed this week by UM. Some, such as Harris, have played at Dolphin Stadium. Harris led Miami Northwestern High to 30 consecutive victories the past two seasons and earned two consecutive state titles, the first at Dolphin Stadium.

Nonetheless, Shannon expects Harris to ``give the ball to the playmakers.

''It can be a deep ball. It can be a short ball. It can be anything,'' the coach said. ``You don't have to sit up there and throw the ball 90 yards down the field to be successful. If a guy catches a five-yard pass and runs for 70, it's still a 75-yard touchdown.''

MISSING PLAYERS

Six players in addition to Marve were suspended for the opener for a variety of team infractions.

And some players, such as projected starting defensive ends Eric Moncur and Allen Bailey, are out because of injuries.

Starting right tackle Reggie Youngblood likely won't play because of an unspecified head injury.

The freshmen could be integral in the outcome.

''The big thing for them will be to mentally stay within the game,'' junior cornerback Chavez Grant said. ``I don't care who you are, you're going to make a mistake because you're human. You just have to come back and keep digging.''

Left tackle Jason Fox said this game ``is an opportunity for us to get that bad taste out of our months. All summer and spring we've been pushing and getting ready for the season. Now it's here.''

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