University of Houston Athletics
Football Weekly Press Luncheon Transcript
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Nov. 15, 2005
HOUSTON - Quotes from University of Houston Football Head Coach Art Briles
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 * Houston, Texas * Athletics/Alumni Center
Entering SMU game and following Southern Miss game
"It feels good to be home. It felt nice to be in our stadium the other night. Our crowd did an outstanding job of really being an intelligent crowd, supporting us when we needed support on defense and they were on offense and trying to check off plays at the end. They really rallied and stayed in the game with us and were a factor in the outcome. It felt good for that and it felt good to get a win.
"We're still fighting; we're still striving for respectability, and we still have a lot of unfinished business. We don't have our feet propped up, leaning back in the chair. We have a lot of things we have left to do. We have a couple of games in front of us to see if we can take care of business. Our focus, our mindset, our drive is still pushing forward in becoming a better team every time we step on the field."
On talking to team about bowl picture: "That's a good question. Honestly, I don't think we've even talked about it as a team in any of our team meetings. We really haven't talked about it. Without trying to sound cute, the last time I checked, five wins didn't get you there. We haven't deserved that option of talking about it yet. We go out and take care of business Saturday, then we can sit back and start looking at scenarios. Right now, our only scenario is beating SMU and winning the football game Saturday. Our focus has to be taking care of business. All of that other stuff will fall into place. If we take care of our business, we will end up in a very respectable and exciting bowl game no doubt."
On C-USA Defensive Player of the Week Kade Lane: "That is great honor for him and our defensive players. Our defensive line played as well the other night as they have in a long time against a football team that really prides itself in running the ball. To play the way that we did against them is really a tribute to those guys and their strength, effort and attitude. Kade definitely came up with some big plays. He actually tipped the ball the before on the play before the one that he recovered. He kind of got hoggish at the end, but we were glad he did. I don't figure he will gloat over it, but he has played exceptionally well for a long time for us, and we are very proud of them."
On what makes a successful season: "Everybody has a different perception of success. Within each week, the reality and the perception change. You talk about success; I could take an individual at a time and how they approach their daily lives and their performance on the football field. I don't really get caught up into trying to decide if we have had a successful season or not. What I am trying to decide is are we going to finish strong; are we going to maintain our composure; are we going to be self-disciplined; are we going to be tough; are we going to be driven and determined and do the things that we have to do to be a great football team. That is really the only way that I am evaluating us right now and myself.
On SMU: "They are a good football team. It is evident across the nation that there is such a fine line between a team that is 6-4 and one that is 4-6. It's a play or two here or there. They have lost four or five football games. Four of them have been by a touchdown or less. They have beaten some good teams, TCU, UAB and Rice. It's just another opponent coming to town. It's still about us taking care of our business. I have a lot of respect for Phil Bennett. I have known him a long time. He has done a great job everywhere he has been. He has done a good job of establishing the football program back to respectability.
"It will be a great opportunity and challenge for us Saturday. We are going to be excited and we are going to be ready. We need a big crowd at Robertson Stadium to support us again."
