University of Houston Athletics
Football Continues Homecoming Preparations Against Cincinnati
10/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 16, 2001
HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Houston football team looks to snap a five-game losing streak to open the season and will be relying on the hometown fans this weekend as they play host to Conference USA rival Cincinnati.
The Cougars, who face the Bearcats in a 7 p.m. contest Saturday at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium, will compete during the university's annual Homecoming festivities. With that in mind, head coach Dana Dimel said he expected this weekend's crowd to serve as a boost for his Cougar squad.
"Homecoming is always an exciting time for a football team," Dimel said.
For the Cougars to be successful Saturday and collect their first win of the season, the team must grab momentum early. That's something the team has struggled with early, falling behind 10-0 in each of the last four games.
"We must find a way to get on the scoreboard early," Dimel said.
Sophomore Nick Eddy will get his second start of the season against the Bearcats after an impressive performance in his first-ever collegiate outing against Memphis last weekend. The Courtland, Calif., native threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns on 28-of-42 passing.
"Nick came in and the offense didn't miss a beat. I was proud of the way the offense performed when compared to other teams with first-year quarterbacks," Dimel said. "I was pleased with the way that he handled the system. In his first four series, you saw a little bit of nerves. But in his last seven series, we scored six touchdowns, even though one was called back."
While regular starter Kelly Robertson, who was sidelined last week after breaking a bone in his right wrist on Oct. 6, worked out with the team during the first two days of practice this week, Eddy will be under center when the Cougar offense hits the field.
"Nick had a much better practice. He was more assertive and finishing things and doing things the way that you need to do them to win football games," Dimel said. "You can see the confidence in him growing."
Despite his recent injury, Robertson will serve in a back-up role this weekend.
