University of Houston Athletics
Football Begins Workouts for UAB
11/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 25, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston football team began preparations for this weekend's regular-season finale against Conference USA rival UAB with an impressive workout Tuesday afternoon.
However, first-year head coach Art Briles said he hopes that his team has a few more weeks of practice left following this weekend's showdown.
"Hopefully, we can have... more before a bowl game if we go out and take care of business against a very fine UAB football team," Briles said. "That's our focus, that's our motivation, and that's our inspiration."
The Cougars (6-5, 3-4 C-USA) play host to UAB at 4 p.m., Saturday at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. Fans can catch the game on KBME AM 790 with Craig Ackerman, Chuck Brown and Tony Fitzpatrick calling the action. Pregame is slated to begin at 3:45 p.m.
UH has been bowl eligible since Nov. 15, so a win against the Blazers could clinch the team's first bowl appearance since 1996.
While Saturday's game could mean the difference between a bowl berth or a 6-6 season, Briles said that his team and coaching staff could not allow that to be a distraction.
"We have to go out and play for 60 minutes. What you don't want to do is let all of the other stuff get to you," Briles said. "Our job is to go out and play hard for 60 minutes, and all of the other stuff will take care of itself."
With Thanksgiving looming, the Cougars will alter their regular practice schedule some this week. The team will work out Thursday morning and not return until Friday afternoon, allowing local players to return home and enjoy the holiday with their families.
While the Blazers have won all three meetings in the all-time series against the Cougars, Briles said that fact won't have any meaning once the teams hit the field this weekend.
"It might be talked about, but something's got to start somewhere, so we might as well start something new on Saturday," Briles said.
