University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Football Notes
11/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2001
In the final game of the 2001 football season this coming Saturday, the University of Houston Cougars, looking for their first victory of the year, will travel to Athens, Georgia, to take on the No. 16 Bulldogs at one of college football's most impressive venues, Sanford Stadium. Due to the inclement weather, the team practiced under the roof of the Bill Yeoman Fieldhouse at the Athletics/Alumni Center on Wednesday (Nov. 28) afternoon and in preparing to go up against one of the top 25 teams in the nation, focused on making sure all sides of the ball--offensive, defensive and special teams--are on the same page.
"I think the big thing we're going to try to do against Georgia is throw the ball a lot," began second-year head coach Dana Dimel.
In concentrating on the passing game rather than the running game, Dimel noted that senior quarterback Kelly Robertson, who has started six of Houston's 10 games this season and is averaging 271.3 yards per contest, and sophomore Nick Eddy, who has started four games for the Cougars in 2001, will rotate at the position.
Defensively stopping Georgia's running game, which is led by senior running back Verron Haynes--who has rushed for 399 total yards in his past two games--and quarterback David Greene, will be a true test for the Cougars.
"Defensively, we're going to try to finish the year on a good note and try to get something to build on for the guys next year," said Dimel. "Georgia has a really good offense, and that would be a really big thrust for us going into next year."
Another focus for Houston will be the special teams unit.
"We (the coaches) thought in the Louisville game that had we been much better on special teams, the final score would have been much closer," continued Dimel. "This week we're hoping to play better on special teams to make it a lot closer and give us a chance to win.
"Our goal is to keep it close and win late."
The Cougars are 3-0 lifetime against the Bulldogs since the two teams first met in 1967, and this weekend's match-up will be the first meeting since 1974. Saturday's game also marks the last game for 22 Cougars, who will close out their respective collegiate careers.
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (ET).
