University of Houston Athletics
Scrimmage To Mark Halfway Point Of Spring
3/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 21, 2003
Houston, Texas - The University of Houston football team will officially reach the midway point of its annual spring practice with a Saturday morning scrimmage set for 10 am at the UH practice fields.
Cougar head coach Art Briles has been pleased with his team's two weeks of practice to this point.
"The main thing we've been after is intensity, intelligence, effort and attitude," commented the first-year coach. "I think we've seen some guys that have come on and done these things for us and the University of Houston. At this stage we're still in an evaluating process, but we're fine-tuning that end of it.
"If we play hard, improve our strength and stamina, then we'll have a chance to win a few games (this fall.)"
After a brief scrimmage last Saturday, Briles and his staff are eager to evaluate his Cougars' progress tomorrow morning.
"The main thing we are looking for," added Briles, "is a little more high focus, a little more high intensity, better understanding of the schemes we've laid out in front of them. We hope we don't have to coach them as much (and) let them get on the field and do it on their own a little bit more.
"It will be a controlled scrimmage, we're really going to try and protect each other and get through it without any injuries."
Speaking of injuries, the injury front has been almost quiet for the Cougars after two weeks. Only redshirt freshman offensive lineman Blake Garrison and senior Al James have missed the entire spring, sitting out after shoulder and knee surgery, respectively. Sophomore quarterback Barrick Nealy, coming off knee surgery last fall, has seen action but has been held out of contact drills, while junior safety Brian Hodges has missed the last few practices after suffering a concussion.
After Saturday's scrimmage the Cougars return to regular spring drills on Tuesday. UH is slated to hold its annual Red-White Game on Saturday, April 5, at 10 am at Robertson Stadium.
-- www.UHcougars.com --
