University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Football Notes
10/25/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2001
Houston, Texas - Looking for their first win of the season and facing three straight road games is not the ingredients most football teams would be looking forward to heading into their final four games of the season. But, the University of Houston football team has rebounded from last Saturday's heart breaking 29-28 loss against Cincinnati with their best week of practice this year.
"Hearing the pads thumping at last night's practice and watching some guys step up this week has reminded me of teams with a lot of victories," Houston head coach Dana Dimel said. "We played hard for about three and 1/4 quarters last week and we have got to play hard for an entire four quarters to have a chance of winning a game.
"I challenged each player this week to practice harder each and every day so that we can play harder in the games. We just have to keep fighting harder and harder until we get over the hump and win a game."
One area that Dimel was pleased with was Houston's ability to run the football for the past three weeks. Junior tailback Joffery Reynolds had his third straight 100-yard game against Cincinnati with 116 yards rushing and one touchdown on 27 carries. It marks the first time in his career that Reynolds has rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games. It also was the first time since 1999 that a Cougar running back has gained 100 yards in three consecutive games.
Reynolds also ran for 101 yards on 20 carries at Army and 108 yards and a TD on 14 carries against Memphis.
"It will be important for us to establish the run early and stop their running game," Dimel said. ""Last week, we did a good job of stopping the run early in the game and we became more aggressive. We also ran the ball efficiently and effectively. They have been struggling running the football, but they will still run the ball this week."
If the Cougars can establish their running game early, Dimel thinks it will pay off later in the game for the Cougar offense.
"If we can run well early this week, we can throw well later in the game and have a very balanced offense. Nick is completing passes at a high percentage rate and that is what we want to see happen."
Hopefully, the Cougars will benefit from their week of hard work and win their first game of the 2001 season.
