University of Houston Athletics
Football Embarks on Louisiana-Lafayette Preps
10/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 3, 2006
HOUSTON - The University of Houston football team returned to the practice fields for close to a three-hour workout Tuesday afternoon at the UH Athletics Complex to prepare for its next home contest against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Houston (4-1) lost a 14-13 decision at Miami last weekend, while Louisiana-Lafayette (2-2) notched a convincing 33-14 victory over Eastern Michigan.
"We don't have a choice but to refocused, reintensify and remotivate," head coach Art Briles said. "We have an opportunity Saturday to win our fifth football game out of six and create momentum for a run at a conference championship. We need the same home atmosphere Saturday that we had a couple of weeks back against Oklahoma State."
The Cougars (4-1) square off with Louisiana-Lafayette at 6 p.m. (CDT), Saturday at Robertson Stadium. That game can be heard live on ESPN 790 AM with the pregame show beginning 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 spent a majority of today's practice getting back to basics and refocusing on the fundamentals.
"We're going to slow down and take care of our assignments more," Briles said. "They were some cases, both coaches and players, where we might have been trying to do too much. Our goal is to get back to playing sound football with a lot of heart and intensity."
Quarterback Jerry Babb, a four-year starter, leads a Ragin' Cajuns squad that has won eight of its last 10 games dating back to last season. Babb has thrown for 353 yards and three touchdowns.
Babb excels at running the option, rushing for 92 yards and three scores. He first pitch option is to Tyrell Fenroy, who rushes for 6.3 yards per carry and averages 70.8 yards per game. Deon Wallace and Caleb Rubin also get their fair share of carries in the ULL rushing attack.
"We have a lot of respect for them and their offensive scheme," Briles said. "They have the same quarterback they had four years ago when we played them in 2003. Babb runs the option well and does a good job of mixing in the pass."
Jason Chery has recorded six receptions and averages 24.3 yards a catch. He has caught two of the three touchdown passes that Babb has thrown this season.
On defense, safety Lamar Morgan has recorded a team-high 22 tackles, while defensive end Tony Hills has recoded team-bests with three tackles for a loss and two sacks. The Ragin' Cajun defense has yet to record an interception this season.
"Their kids are playing aggressive defense with a lot of confidence and will get after you," Briles said. "We have a mark on our back, but that's a good thing. It makes our team prepare at a higher level and perform at a higher level. We want to get that winning feeling back in our system."
Saturday's game marks the second time that Briles has faced Louisiana-Lafayette on the gridiron. The Cougars came away with a 21-14 victory at Cajun Field in 2003. It was Briles' first road win as Houston head coach.
