University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Continue Preparation For Warriors
12/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 14, 2003
HOUSTON, Texas - After two full days off the University of Houston Cougars returned to the practice field this afternoon, taking part in a spirited workout on a beautiful, mild December day.
Preparing for its first bowl in seven season, Houston has three more scheduled practices before departing for Hawai'i on Friday, December 19. The Cougars will face the University of Hawai'i on Christmas Day in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.
Even though it will have been almost one month between games (the Cougars last played UAB on November 29 and defeated the Blazers, 56-28), UH head coach Art Briles likes what he sees when he steps onto the practice fields.
"They're maintaining their enthusiasm," said Briles. "That to me is very critical this time of year. We've been doing this gig since about August 5. It is encouraging to me that they can maintain their enthusiasm level and still have fun while we're out here.
"We're having a lot of fun. We're enjoying it."
The Cougars will practice again Tuesday and Wednesday before wrapping up the Houston version of its pre-bowl preparedness with an early afternoon practice on Thursday. Houston will arrive in Honolulu around 4 pm on December 19 and will practice again on Saturday, December 20. The Cougars will practice five times before facing the home-standing Warriors on national television on December 25.
Still, as his team polishes its game plan for the Warriors, Briles is pleased with the extra practice his team is getting.
"The main thing that helps us more than anything else is that we get this extra time to work with all of our players, young ones included," added Briles. "We can grow as a team from that.
"Now what we'll try to do as a team schematically and preparing for the game, we'll just try to polish up on some things and make sure we have a sense of urgency about what needs to be done and when it needs to be done and how it needs to be done."
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