University of Houston Athletics
Wednesday Practice Notes
11/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2004
HOUSTON - With the rain pouring down outside, the Houston football team was forced to move their regular full-padded-contact practice inside the Athletics/Alumni Center into the Yeoman Fieldhouse on Wednesday.
Because of the move, the Cougars practiced in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts, but the coaching staff made sure the intensity of a full-contact practice wasn't lost.
"It kind of broke our routine a little bit," said head coach Art Briles. "With all of the rain we had to come indoors. But we had good workouts on the offensive side and defensive side and had a good special teams session."
This Saturday's showdown between the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals and the Cougars will be the last game of the 2004 season for Houston while the Cardinals will still play two more after Saturday.
Despite being 3-7 overall and 3-4 in C-USA, the Cougars are still preparing for this week's game with all of the focus and enthusiasm as the rest of their games.
"We are going to rally together," said Briles. "We understand that this is our last game and certainly want to get and make a good showing for ourselves and the University of Houston. So we're going to rally up and play well on Saturday."
The University of Houston and the athletic program are hoping for a large turnout for the contest and are offering $5 seats and free hotdogs for all fans, and free t-shirts for the first 5,000 fans through the gates.
Briles and the Cougars know how much of a factor the crowd can play in a game and are hoping that a large crowd of the Houston faithful will help send the team out on a high note.
"We would love to have the fans out there because it makes a difference in the football game," said Briles. "The people in the stands, hollering for us, makes a big difference in the game I believe. Just because of the extra energy you feel from the stands. So we need them out there and we'd be proud and pleased if the showed up in force there for us on Saturday."
