Around The ACC: Miami Added to Conference Realignment Fray; 2012 Kickoff Times Announced

Quarterback Stephen Morris told members of the press on Friday that he is 100% and has been given full medical clearance to play. Morris had surgery on his back 3 months ago and was forced to sit out all of the Hurricanes’ spring sessions.

Miami has been connected to FSU and Clemson as a team that may jump over to the Big 12. RedRaiderSports.com is reporting that TCU Athletic Director Chris Del Conte said Wednesday morning that the conference has “schools like FSU, Clemson and Miami trying to get in,” A UM spokesperson would not comment on the situation but head coach Al Golden said “If you’re telling me that that’s right from the AD, that he’s saying that, that’s interesting. But I don’t give it much credence.” Golden added about being an ACC member, “We’re excited, I can’t speak for any other school, but we have to do our part. We came in as one of the national powers and we haven’t done our part. So let’s just worry about that.”

Former Hurricane QB Jacory Harris has been cut by the Philadelphia Eagles. Before signing with Philly a couple of weeks ago, he had worked out with the Miami Dolphins. He currently remains a free agent.

Former Miami tight end Greg Olsen’s brother has committed to the Hurricanes. Kevin Olsen, one of the nations top high school quarterbacks, gave the program an oral commitment. According to Rivals.com Olsen is the 7th ranked quarterback in the country. He was also being recruited by South Carolina, Wisconsin and Auburn.

Miami has announced the kickoff times for four games. Opening day, when they visit Boston College on September 1st, the game will begin at 3:30pm and be televised on ABC. The September 15th home game vs Bethune-Cookman will have a 12 noon kickoff time. Saturday October 6th the Canes will travel to Soldier Field in Chicago to face Notre Dame. That game kicks off at 7:30pm and will be televised on NBC. The Thursday night game in Miami on November 1st against rival Virginia Tech will have a 7:30pm kickoff and will be televised on ESPN.

Running back Mike James is preparing to be the number one back this fall. Although the coaching staff has not yet named starters for positions, he is anticipating a heavy workload this fall, his final season as a Hurricane. James had 275 yards on the ground in 2011 with 7 touchdowns and also had 9 catches for 80 yards and a score.

Former head coach Randy Shannon is suing the university for money he says he is owed. Shannon claims an employment agreement, a guarantee agreement and a bonus for the teams 2010 Sun Bowl appearance were either not paid or pro rated. Shannon was fired in November of 2010 with a record of 28-22. When he was hired he promised to turn the program around and had a lot of high hopes for his system and players. But the team did not return to national prominence as he had hoped.

AROUND THE ACC:

ACC: Has announced that the 2012 Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game  is Dec. 1, at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game will be on either ABC (8pm) or on ESPN (7:45pm).

BOSTON COLLEGE: The Eagles announced kickoff times for three games. Opening day September 1st at home vs Miami, the game will be on ABC and kickoff will be at 3:30pm. A September 8th home game vs Maine will have a 1:00pm kickoff time and the October 6th game at Army will kickoff at 12 noon and be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

CLEMSON: Brian Wofford, a former Tigers wide receiver, was killed in a motorcycle accident last week at the age of 34. Wofford graduated in 2000 and had 138 catches for 1,857 yards and 13 touchdowns in his four years of action.

The Tigers will play in one of the two Chick-fil-A Kickoff games this fall. Clemson will face Auburn in the Georgia Dome on Sept. 1 at 7 ET. The game will be on ESPN.

The school announced that 2011’s second leading rusher Mike Bellamy will not be coming back this fall. He has been ruled academically ineligible. He plans to enter a junior college this summer.

Three other games have had kickoff times announced. Sept. 8, the Tigers host Ball State at 12:30 ET. Sept. 15 they host Furman at 3 ET, and Oct. 25 they visit Wake Forest. That game has a 7:30pm kickoff time.

DUKE: Announced the kickoff times for two home games. The season opener Sept. 1 vs Florida International will kickoff at 7 ET and the Sept. 15  home game vs N.C. Central will also get underway at 7 ET.

FLORIDA STATE: Announced kickoff times for 4 games. The season opener vs Murray State will kickoff at 6:00pm, as well as the home game on Sept. 8 vs Savannah State. The Sept. 15 home game vs Wake Forest will kickoff at 12 noon. Nov. 8, the Seminoles visit Virginia Tech and that game will kickoff at 8:00pm.

GEORGIA TECH: Made public the kickoff times for 4 games. The season opener at Virginia Tech on Sept. 3 will begin at 8 ET. Sept. 8, the Yellow Jackets host Presbyterian at 7 ET, and on Sept. 15 they host Virginia in a game that will kickoff at 3:30pm. The Sept. 29 home game vs Middle Tennessee State will get underway at 7 ET.

MARYLAND: Released the kickoff times for two home games. The season opener Sept. 1 vs William & Mary will kickoff at 3:00pm and the Sept. 15 home game vs Uconn will begin at 12:30 ET.

NC STATE: Released the start times for 3 games. The Pack opens the season in the other Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome against Tennessee at 7:30pm. Sept. 15, NCSU hosts South Alabama at 6 ET, and the Sept. 22 home game vs The Citadel will also have a 6 ET kickoff.

NORTH CAROLINA: Offensive Lineman Jonathan Cooper and linebacker Kevin Reddick were named pre season first team All-Americans.

The Tar Heels announced the start times for three games. The season opener vs Elon on September 1st will get underway at 12:30 ET and will be broadcast on the ACC Network. The next week they visit Wake Forest in a game that starts at 3:00pm, and on Nov. 15 they will visit Virginia in a game that kicks off at 7:30 ET. ESPN will broadcast that one.

VIRGINIA: Announced the kickoff times for 4 games. The season opener at home on September 1st vs Richmond will kickoff at 3:00pm.  Sept. 8 Penn State comes to town for a 12 noon kickoff.  ABC is broadcasting this one.

On Sept. 15,  Georgia Tech comes to town for a 3:30 ET match up. North Carolina comes to town for a Thursday night game on November 15th in a game that will be on ESPN and kicks off at 7:30 ET.

The Cavaliers have landed recruit Trent Corney. Corney is a linebacker from Ontario, Canada and he will be able to play this fall.

Phillip Sims, who won the 2011 BCS Championship as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, has transferred to Virginia.

VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies released kickoff times for four games this fall. Opening night, Monday Sept. 3, VPI hosts Georgia Tech in an 8 ET start on ESPN. Sept. 8 Austin Peay comes to town for a 1:30 ET kickoff. They play two Thursday night games in a row in November against Miami and Florida State. The Nov. 1 match-up in Miami will kickoff at 7:30 ET as will the following week when they host the Seminoles. Both games will be on ESPN.

WAKE FOREST: The Demon Deacons open the season at home on Sept. 1st at 6:30 ET against Liberty. The Nov. 17 game at Notre Dame kicks off at 3:30 ET.

Ray Blanchette covers the Miami Hurricanes and the ACC for the Saturday Blitz. He also writes for Outside The Redzone. Follow along at www.outsidetheredzone.com. Blanchette is the owner of Blanchette Sports Holdings. Follow along with them at www.blanchettesh.elementfx.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003521034703&sk=wall or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/BlanchettSports. ANYONE THAT WANTS TO OWN A FRANCHISE WITH US, THE TIME IS NOW. TODAY ONLY WE ARE HAVING A 50% OFF FRANCHISE FEES SALE!