Miami Hurricanes’ first preseason scrimmage set for Thursday night

While the Miami Dolphins kick off their first preseason game Thursday night against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, the Miami Hurricanes will be participating in their first preseason scrimmage under the newly installed lights at Greentree Field.

The scrimmage is closed to the public and media.

“Same situational scrimmages as we normally do, just put them in different parts of the field so we can coach our segments and see if they can react accordingly,” Canes coach Al Golden said. “I think from that standpoint, probably 30 to 40 plays for the first and second units — close to a half, but not quite a half.”

The Hurricanes begin the season Sept. 5 against Bethune-Cookman.

KNIGHTON LEADS THE WAY

Tuesday was Day 5 of Miami Hurricanes fall camp, and Golden said after practice that “between Day 5 and Day 6 is where they start to feel it.”

Golden: “It’s not as fun to put the uni on and run around. The music isn’t engaging. It’s not as motiving.”

So, who is one of the players the Canes are turning toward to get them through these dog days?

Hunter Knighton, the offensive lineman who’s back this season after exertional heatstroke put him in a coma for 12 days in February and March 2014.

“I mean, who’s better equipped to lead than he is?’’ Golden said of Knighton, a 21-year-old redshirt sophomore backup center. “What has more appreciation and gratitude? Who has been through more?

“The thing he’s doing now is sharing those experiences with his teammates. …Hunter says, ‘Just think about when you don’t have it, not to have football.’ It just gives a perspective to our team and a maturity.

“Grateful for Hunter not to ease into this. He said, ‘I’m going.’ ”

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Miami Hurricanes’ first preseason scrimmage set for Thursday night."