’Canes are counting on fan support

LAKE BUENA VISTA — As the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes prepare to return to Hard Rock Stadium for their first game in nearly three weeks, Miami’s players and coaches are hoping their fans will be there in big numbers to support them.

And in return, the Hurricanes say they understand the kind of impact their game against Toledo can have on a community that is still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Irma, which passed through Florida and the Caribbean earlier this month.

“The whole Irma scare, it hit a lot of people pretty tragically, especially in the islands,” receiver Braxton Berrios said Tuesday as the team returned to practice at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports at Disney World. “Luckily, Miami missed the brunt of it, but we’re the Miami Hurricanes. We wear that on our chest, we wear that ‘U’ on the side of the helmet and it means a lot to have Miami behind us. And we want to be behind Miami as well.”

Added defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, “We’re probably going to need a great atmosphere to help our guys through and to get us going until we kind of get our sea legs back and get our season kind of kicked off.”

When the Hurricanes play Saturday, they expect to be thinking of Toledo — and their South Florida community.

Miami athletics director Blake James said the school will be holding a hurricane relief drive at Hard Rock Stadium this weekend, with additional details coming soon.

Next game: No. 14 Miami vs. Toledo, Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Fox Sports Florida

Christy Cabrera Chirinos