University of Houston Athletics
Wednesday Football Practice Report
10/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2006
HOUSTON - The University of Houston football team was forced inside the Yeoman Fieldhouse for a two-hour workout Wednesday afternoon.
The Cougars have practiced indoors at least one day for the last seven weeks of the season. The only time Houston has not been forced inside was during preparations for the season-opener at Rice.
"It's a deal where we've started to get used to being forced inside at least one day a week," head coach Art Briles said. "Our guys come in here and work extremely hard so we can get a good workout out of the situation."
Saturday's game with the Miners opens a three game homestand. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m., Saturday at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. The game can be heard live on News Radio 740 AM with the game one of the World Series on 790 AM The Sports Animal. The pregame show begins one hour before kickoff. Tom Franklin will handle the play-by-play duties, while former record-setting UH quarterback David Klingler will provide color analysis. Former All-Southwest Conference center Chuck Brown serves as the sideline reporter.
All Cougar Football games can be heard live on the Internet by logging onto www.UHCougars.com
Houston (4-3, 2-1 C-USA) is coming off a 31-27 loss at Southern Miss last weekend, while UTEP (4-2, 2-0 C-USA) won a 34-20 decision against Tulane.
Briles touched upon what he is looking for his team to do Saturday to snap the squad's current three-game losing streak.
"It doesn't have anything to do with schemes or playcalling," Briles said. "We have to execute what's on the table in all three phases of the game. If we'll do that, it will work out as planned. We just have to go out there and take care of our business."
Houston and UTEP are the only C-USA teams to average over 30 points a game this season. The Miners are headlined by quarterback Jordan Palmer, who is second behind UH's Kevin Kolb, throwing for 1,673 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins is Palmer's primary target. Higgins paces C-USA, averaging 103.8 yards receiving and has already hauled in seven touchdowns. He's also an explosive kick returning, averaging 35 yards a punt return on six attempts with two touchdowns.
"Jordan's a great player with some pretty explosive options around him" Briles said. "UTEP is a well-coached team that run their schemes effectively."
UTEP's defense has allowed 28.3 points per game, but has only given up 21 and 20 points. respectively in its two C-USA victories. Linebacker Troy Callavo paces the defense, recording 57 tackles in addition to a team-best six stops for a loss. Safety Quinton Demps anchors the secondary and has already notched five interceptions.
"Demps is a very active, intelligent and instinctive safety,' Briles said. "He has a knack for finding himself around the football. He's made some big plays for them not just this season but last season as well."
Saturday's game marks the fourth time that Houston and UTEP will meet on the gridiron. The Cougars are 0-3 all-time against the Miners, including a 44-41 double overtime loss last season in El Paso. Last season's meeting was the first in the series since the 1940s.
"It's a huge conference game that we need to win to establish ourselves back into the West Division race," Briles said. "It's time for us as a team to step up and play. We need our fans to come out to support us and give us every opportunity to win the football game."
