University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Wrap Up Preparations For UCF
11/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 3, 2005
Houston, Texas- - When the University of Houston travels to Orlando, Fla. to play UCF this Saturday it will mark the first time the Cougars have played in Orlando since December 22, 1962. That is when the Cougars defeated Miami (Ohio) in the inaugural Tangerine Bowl, which is now the Citrus Bowl, the home field for UCF.
Despite that fact, Houston head coach Art Briles doesn't think the venue will have much effect on his team.
"When you kick the ball off, you are playing between the white lines," Briles said. "I don't worry about the surroundings because I am focusing on what is happening on the field."
That battle on the field Saturday includes two teams coming into the game with some momentum. Houston is coming off one of its best performances of the season after winning, 28-16, at Mississippi State on October 22. The Cougars were off last weekend, while UCF beat Tulane, 34-24, at the Citrus Bowl on October 21 to raise its home record to 4-0, and won, 30-20, at East Carolina last Saturday.
Houston enters the game with a 4-3 overall record and is 2-2 in Conference USA play this season, while UCF has a 5-3 overall mark and are 4-1 in league play to lead C-USA's Eastern Division. To some, UCF might be the most surprising team in Conference USA this season since the Golden Knights were 0-11 last year. But, Briles isn't that surprised.
"I am not sure there are any surprised in this league," Briles said. "They are well coached and are playing well. We are going to have to play good to win."
