University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Conclude Preparations For Memphis
11/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2006
Houston - The University of Houston football team concluded its final preparations for Saturday's final regular season game at Memphis in near perfect weather conditions Thursday afternoon. The temperature was 73 degrees under partly cloudy skies with a light breeze while the Cougars finished preparations on the UH practice fields.
The Cougars are scheduled to play the Tigers at 1:00 p.m. in the Liberty Bowl, and enter the game with an 8-3 record after posting a 37-27 comeback victory at SMU last Saturday.
We have worked hard all year to get into this position, and we aren't going to close our eyes now." Houston head coach Art Briles said. "We understand the importance of this football game. This isn't the time to have any letdowns."
With a win over the Tigers, the Cougars will earn the right to host the C-USA Championship game at 7 p.m., Dec. 1, on John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN2. But, Briles and his team knows that it won't be easy as the Cougars enter Saturday's game having lost three straight games against Memphis, including a 35-20 setback at Robertson Stadium last season. The two teams also have a 9-9 series record against each other. Last weekend, Houston used the running combination of Anthony Alridge and Jackie Battle to overcome a 10-point deficit at SMU. They combined for 361 yards rushing against the Mustangs. Alridge led the way with 225 yards on 13 carries, while Battle added 136 yards. The victory also was Houston's fourth straight win. Houston also won its last three regular season home games against UTEP, UCF and Tulsa. The game can be heard live on 790 AM, "The Sports Animal" with the pre-game show starting one hour before kickoff. Tom Franklin calls the play-by-play duties, while former record-setting UH quarterback David Klingler provides color analysis. Former All-Southwest Conference center Chuck Brown serves as the sideline reporter. The game will be available on the Internet by logging onto www.UHCougars.com.
