University of Houston Athletics
Weekly Football Press Luncheon
10/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 21, 2003
On the play of the young Cougar offensive line so far this season
"It's a shame that Matthew Bentley got hurt, which will hold him out for about two to three weeks. Marquay Love came in and did a nice job, brings a little spark and has pretty good passion and explosiveness, and I think he can get in there and maintain playing well for us. And with the guidance of some of the older guys for us, I think we'll be alright."
On the younger players getting experience on the defense and if they are making progress through learning from their mistakes
"We'd rather make them (mistakes) in practice, and they're really not making many mistakes on the field. It's just a growing process. When you get on the field, you have to learn to play at that level and at that speed, and they will adjust as the game goes along."
On the speed at which freshman Wade Koehl plays
"He's really got good speed. We knew that coming out of high school, and that was the thing we liked about him more than anything else. He was kind of a thin kid that could run, and we knew that if we got him in our weight program, we'd be able to put some weight on him. And speed is not something that you lose, so we knew that he'd maintain that. He's doing a great job for us."
On what he's seen of TCU's offense through watching film
"They are a precision offense: high percentage, low-risk with high production. It's just like their defense. They've been doing what they've been doing for a while. To me, what they plan on doing (against Houston) is playing high percentage offense, great defense and good special teams and just get out of here with a win."
Is there one player for TCU who could make the most difference?
"They have too many guys that really do a great job to name just one. Their offensive line is very physical, very active. And the way in which they scheme things up to where they set you up with some play-action stuff and boot legs allows good plays for them. They do a nice job."
On TCU's defense
"Same thing, very active. They've got some guys that can really make plays and have good experience. Like I said, it's a good opportunity for us."
Is TCU's (defensive end) Bo Schobel the kind of guy you have to scheme in preparation for because he is so active?
"Of course, you always scheme for everybody. But if you spend too much time on him, they've got other guys who can really make plays for them, so we'll just try to go along, doing what we're doing, and hopefully it will work our for us."
Senior Rex Hadnot
On Houston offensive line needs to imrpove on in the pass rush and blocking
"We just as an offensive line, we need to communicate better, relaying calls and things like that."
On if the Houston offensive line is feeling strong in the fourth quarter
"Yes. And that just comes from within - it's a lot of want and heart. If the game's on the line and it's the fourth quarter and you can't find the energy to pull it through, then there is just something wrong with you, I think."
On if the team looked past Memphis and ahead to TCU
"No, I don't think so. We're in no position to look past any body. Each game is a big game for us, not just because it's the next game, but because from the standpoint that we're trying to build a program as well as a championship team. Each week we focus on that opponent, and I don't think any of the guys were looking forward to TCU. We ran into a road block (loss to Memphis), but we're looking to rebound this week."
Based upon what he knows about TCU, will the Cougars be able to win playuing their normal game, or are they going to have to raise the bar a notch or two
"We will have to rise to play above our normal level, just because that should be expected. TCU, like I said, is ot going to be itself, so we're going to have to do a good job executing our game plan and beating them."
Following Houston's ability to bounce back following the loss to Michigan, does this team know how to bounce back and can bounce back?
"I think we are capable of it. We've done it before, but this is a totally different scenario (from Michigan), especially because this is a conference game. We'll just try to get it done Saturday."
Do you think TCU is the team to beat in Conference USA?
"Yes, I would say that. They say to be the big dog you have to beat the big dog. They've come into Conference and have done a good job the last few years, and last year winning conference.To get where we're trying to go, I guess the road does go through TCU."
