University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Football Notes
9/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2001
Once underway outdoors for the first time in nearly a week, bad weather once again forced the University of Houston football team to continue their practice indoors in the Bill Yeoman Fieldhouse at the Athletics/Alumni Center on Wednesday (Sept. 5) afternoon. The Cougars have an off-week this week before traveling to Athens, Georgia, to take on the Bulldogs on September 15.
"We got to go outside for a while, which was good," said second-year head coach Dana Dimel. "We were actually able to do some physical stuff and pound on each other a little bit more, as we've been staying away from those things while indoors on the turf (risk of injury)."
After working on various running drills--including the middle drill and the inside running game--outside on the practice field inside Tellez Track, the lightening came and the Cougars moved indoors and shifted gears to drills which concentrated specifically on the passing game.
"With the off week, right now we're trying to make the guys understand to not use this as an off-week and take advantage the best that they can to get better for next week. Georgia is preparing for a game this week and we're not, and that's an advantage that they [Georgia} have. So we have to try to stay on pace with them as much as we can."
Following a tough loss to Rice in the season opener this past weekend, Dimel remained positive and high on his team, praising them for their rebounding attitudes and strides in improving daily.
"It's natural to be a little down, it's been a tough week," began Dimel. "I saw so many positive things in the game, and I'm telling it like it is. I don't want us to take steps backwards since we've taken so many steps forward. I just don't want this time off to be down and then not play well against Georgia.
"I think we can come out and show that we're an improving team. Our quest right now is to get better and better with every practice. If we continue to improve during the season, all we're going to do is surprise people and show that this first game was one game and that because of our youth, we're just going to get better and better every game."
Dimel further went on to praise his new quarterback, junior college transfer and former walk-on Kelly Robertson (Port Neches, Texas/Western Kentucky), for his poise and continued improvement. Now with a start under his belt and the normal first-game jitters out of his system, Dimel and his staff are very pleased with Robertson.
"I think he's going to end up having a great season for us," said Dimel. "I think he's going to rise up and do some good things for us."
Following the Georgia game next Saturday, the Cougars return home to Robertson Stadium to host the Texas Longhorns on September 22.
