University of Houston Athletics
Weekly Football Press Luncheon
10/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 7, 2003
On the win over East Carolina on Sept. 30
"The ECU game was a big win for us. First of all, it got us 1-0 in conference play, which is huge from our standpoint. Secondly, it was another good, tough road win for our team. We grew up a lot as a football team again, established some more character, maturity and leadership. The key things coming out of that victory are those three ingredients that I just mentioned. And if we can keep growing in those areas, then we'll continue becoming a good football team.
"They (ECU) have a loyal fan base up there and it's a tough environment to play in, and our guys were able to block all of that out and focus on between the lines and take care of business, and I was very proud of them for that."
On the time both Houston and Tulane have had to prepare for the game this weekend and how it affects each respective team
"They've (Tulane had 2-3 more days than what we've had. I think that when you get in a situation where we're at right now, when we've had this time off, a lot of time you can over-analyze and almost out-think yourself sometimes. You're used to operating on a three-day 'get-ready' schedule, and now we're looking at a six-day prep period. What we have to be careful about is that we don't try to do too much differently or expect too much differently from the other side. What we're going to try to do is just refine what we're doing and get better at what we're doing and take it from there. As you get to the game and as the game goes along you make adjustments, so the key factor for us is just the extra time to freshen up a little bit, mend up in some areas."
On if the entire Houston offense has been shown to opponents in the first five games
"We're getting better, we're getting further along. Each week presents a new opportunity to do some things. There are still a few things that we fell like we need to do, have to do and will do. And hopefully this week we'll be able to."
On the Cougars' defense going in against Tulane
"We'll make some adjustments with our nickel package and things defensively, but our guys are able to adjust pretty well as they've seen some open sets so far this season."
How Houston and Tulane offenses are similar
"I would say we are pretty similar. They're pretty open backfield, a lot of shotgun. I don't know what they're percentage is run-pass, but their quarterback is a guy who will move the ball around to many different people, and Moore is an outstanding back, and their offensive line does a nice job. They are a great offensive football team. They're a team that is coming off an 8-5 record last year and a bowl victory, so it's a great opportunity for us to go in there this Saturday."
On Tulane's loss to Texas and it being a possible factor in the game
"We don't even look at that and don't even talk about it. That's a situation where when the ball starts rolling badly, it's tough to stop, and that's what they (Tulane) got caught with. I'm sure they're blocking it out. Every time you tee it up it's a whole newgame and a whole new adventure, so whatever has happened before is off as soon as that whistle blows."
On where the Cougars are right now as a football team
"We are in the second phase of our season, and what we want to dop is come out in really good shape. We're 1-0 right now in the second-half of our season, and we just want to continue to improve as a football team. We're not where we're going to be. There's a lot of growth left on this football team, and to me that's the exciting part and what I like. Where we are right now is not where we're going to end up. And our guys are going to continue to get better as the season goes along, we're going to continue to get better as coaches, and we're going to get better schematically. I think we'll be able to do a lot more things on both sides of the ball and on special teams. You feel like we've played a lot of games, I feel like we've played a lot of games, but really we haven't. We've only played five football games and are getting ready to play number six. There's seven more games in front of us right now. We need to take care of business with those and see where we are at the end. I like where we are, but I like where we're headed also."
On cutting down on the penalities
"I think we just need to learn. Sometimes those things work for you and sometimes they work against you. Fortunately, so far we've been able to overcome the penalties that we've had, and hopefully that trend will continue. We're going to be an emotionally-charged team, we're going to be a fast-paced team, and we're going to play aggressive, and when you play that type of football, there's a chance that you might have a penalty or two. And with all of the shifts and motions and things that we do offensively, that adds to the mix. We'll talk about it and try to be intelligent about it, and if we don't get them (penalties) we'll be happy, and if we do get them, we'll try to overcome them."
On Tulane's QB J.P. Losman
"The two or three characteristics that really stick out at me are that first of all, he has a really quick release, he has a really good presence and he's a fierce competitor. I think he plays really hard and really competes hard. That's what we (Houston coaches) really like in players and that's what we look for in players. Guys who are going to fight to excel. We have people right nhow on our team who are doing just that, and that's what I'm really proud of in our guys."
On Damien West's possible return this weekend
"I think he'll be back this weekend and suited up to play. But I think it will be a feeling-out process, and we'll fit him in there as desired."
