University of Houston Athletics
Weekly Football Press Luncheon
11/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 25, 2003
On the Cougars loss at Louisville on Nov. 22
"This is the last scheduled one (luncheon) and hopefully we can have one more before a bowl game if we go out and take care of business against a very fine UAB football team. Then, we will be in a bowl game sometime in December. That's our focus, that's our motive and that's our inspiration. The thing that inspires me and our staff is to give our seniors a chance to really do something special for themselves and the University of Houston. They have done a great jobthis year and put us in this situation, and often times that's what people lose sight of. You have to work hard and prepare and you have to perform to be put in the situation we're in. They've (seniors) done a great job throughout this season to get us to six wins and give us the opportunity to represent the University of Houston in a bowl game."
On UAB's quarterback situation, having to use multiple players, and what challenge(s) it presents to the Cougars
"What they've done is they've said that they are going to play very balanced offensively and try to maintain the ball, a possession-type offense and then play extremely well on the defensive side of the ball. And that's what they've done. They are impressive on the defensive side of the ball, they do a great job of hustling to the ball; they're schemes are good for the personnel they have. It's going to be a great challenge and a great opportunity for us from an offensive standpoint."
Do you think you will ever be able to replace seniors Rex Hadnot and Brandon Middleton?
"I don't want to think about it right now. I think we have 14 seniors, and the thing that makes me feel really good is that these are people that we (Briles and staff) did not recruit, that we didn't know until we got here last December. So, to be able to form the bonds that we've been able to form with them, build loyalty and trust that we've been able to do is a tribute to them and the type of people they are - entrusting us with their team and with their senior season. And I want tomake sure that it goes out well for them."
Do you approach this game against UAB like a conference championship, that you have to win this game in order to advance to a bowl game and continue playing?
"I guess so. We have to go out and win for 60 minutes. What you don't want to do is let all of the other stuff get toyou. Our job is to go out and perform on the football field and play to the best of our ability, coach to the best of our ability. And if we can do that, then the chips will fall the way we want them to fall. We can't spend all week saying, 'if we win this or win that.' Our job is to go out and play hard for 60 minutes and win, and all of the other stuff will take care of itself."
How do you approach the defense to bounce back following last Saturday's loss?
"I'm really not worried about it. Those guys, when you put themup on an x-ray machine, there is a backbone. They have pride, they have desire and they'll perform very admirably this week. I have a lot of confidence in that."
How do you deal with the holiday week, as far as practices and doing things as a team?
"We're not going to do anything as a team, because a lot of these guys are local and it gives them a chance to go see their families and friends for a while. We'll just work out Thursday morning and give them Thursday afternoon and Friday and bring them back Friday afternoon, get loaded up and ready to go."
UAB has won each of the three games between the two schools. How do you approach that with the team?
"Honestly, I haven't even thought about it, didn't even know about it (the record) until Sunday. Trying not to sound too snotty or something, but what's happened in the past has no bearing on what will happen this Saturday. It might be talked about, I don't know, but something's got to start somewhere so we might as well start something new on Saturday."
