University of Houston Athletics
Wednesday's Football Practice Notes
10/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 27, 2004
HOUSTON - Wednesday practice for the Cougars took place in full pads with contact drills on the Cougar Practice Fields as the team prepares for their first home game in what will have been 37 days.
The last time the Cougars played a home game was on Sept. 23 against Miami (Fla.) but even that was at Reliant Stadium and not John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium.
"We are extremely excited to be back home, and not just to be back home, but to have the opportunity to go out there and prove ourselves once again," said head coach Art Briles. "We have done some good things and we have done some things not so well, and we have another opportunity to showcase ourselves on the football field again."
Tulane comes into Saturday's game after a big 59-55 victory over UAB, but the Cougars are determined to pick up their second victory of the season on Saturday and aren't worried about what Tulane did last week.
"They are a great opponent," said Briles of Tulane. "They are coming off a huge win, probably one of the biggest they have had around there in a long time so their players are going to be excited. It's a great opportunity for us, we are going to play excited, we are going to play intense, and we are anxiously looking forward to Saturday."
Last season the Cougars downed the Green Wave 45-42 at Tulane. The Wave's hopes of a comeback were ruined on the last play of the game when Joe Clay sacked quarterback J.P. Grossman to end the game.
Despite the tough loss at TCU last week, Briles and his staff have had no trouble keeping the Cougars motivated. A fact that has Briles very please with his players over.
"There is no problem with keeping our spirits up or keeping us focused," said Briles. "These guys are student athletes who have pride, self-esteem, drive and desire. That's not gone just because things don't work out the way you want. You are what you are, and what we are are men who are motivated to do the best we can every day and that is not going to change."
Houston is hoping the fans come out and support the Cougars in their final home games of the season as they will be putting all they have on the field for the University and its fans.
"We need a great crowd," said Briles. "They helped us there in the Army game when we scored two touchdowns late when the crowd got behind us and helped us win, and we need a great crowd out there on Saturday to help us get a great win for the University of Houston."
