University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Football Notes
10/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 3, 2001
With the University of Houston Cougars set to depart for their first road game of the year against Army at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y. this coming Saturday, practice on Wednesday (Oct. 3) afternoon proved to be yet another step forward for the Cougars as they inch closer to their first victory of the season.
Despite an 0-3 record, second-year head coach Dana Dimel never resists the opportunity to praise his football team's constant improvement, marking on the continuing positives that happen week in and week out during games, as well as day in and day out at practices.
"Yesterday I thought we had a really good practice, and today was another great one," Dimel began. "We're trying to gain momentum going into the Army game this weekend, and our (him and staff) biggest message today was the message that I've been talking to them all week about, about having leadership. And today I started to see a little bit more leadership from the players, applying themselves and giving positive reinforcement and motivation to their teammates.
"That was a huge thing. We may have made a subtle step, but sometimes just a subtle step in leadership can be the big difference in winning or losing ball games."
Dimel has also continually commented on this year's squad as being perhaps the most talented he has ever coached, and that a constant in each and every practice all year has been stressing to the team that they not only have to play the football game well, but they have to play the football game well enough to win. He has also said that he believes this Cougar team is "right there," and that when there is leadership amongst the ranks, it instills the team with more confidence which in turn leads to winning.
"We're hoping and thinking that just going on the road right now will be a good change for the team. We're so close, and maybe being on the road will help us jump through, then we can come back and get two home wins and get ourselves back to the even mark for the season. Then all of the sudden, we could be in a great position."
When turning the focus specifically on the Black Knights' game and Houston's preparation for their upcoming opponent, Dimel is quick to note that he and the staff have prepared the team to be much more physical, especially when it comes to defending the run game.
"We're looking at being more physical and establishing a run game early in the ball game and stopping their run game," he said. "That's very critical for us. Our run defense has not been as good as it needs to be by any means and we just have to get a lot better in making steps in this ball game on stopping the run.
"What our team has developed into this year is that we have to run to set up the pass," Dimel continued. "We're still a passing football team and we're one of the top passing teams in the country. But for the pass to open, we have to use the run."
Following the Cougars' game against Army this weekend, they return home to next host C-USA foe Memphis on Oct. 13 at Robertson Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7:00pm.
