Houston-Tulsa Postgame Quotes
11/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2006
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2006 Houston Cougars Football Postgame Quotes
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (7-2, 4-1 C-USA) at Houston Cougars (7-3, 5-1 C-USA)
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 * Robertson Stadium * Houston, Texas
HOUSTON HEAD COACH Art Briles
"We're on the right road. We haven't gotten there yet. It's a nice win for our players. We've won big games to make this a big win. I was proud of our guys for coming out and playing with a lot of heart and emotion, like they have all year. Our crowd was unbelievable and our student section was as good as it's been all year. It made a big difference in the ball game. It's a big win for our team and the University of Houston."
On the play of the defense
"Our defense was outstanding. When you play great defense, it allows you to do other things offensively. We felt we matched up with them pretty well. It proved to be that today. We've been grinders all year. A fumble is not going to throw us away. There's other fish in the ocean. We didn't panic over that. Seven points does not win a football game. We knew we would score more points. It gave them a little momentum, but we got it back with the touchdown right before the half. It was a complete game. Defense, offense, special teams."
On getting Tulsa off their game plan
"I am not sure we took them out of their game plan. We just made plays when they were attempting to do what they do. They were doing the same things they've done all year, we just made plays on the defensive side of the ball."
On the offensive balance the last three games
"Our balance has been tremendous offensively. We know we can throw the ball, but when you can sprinkle in some runs, it makes it hard to stop."
On the kicking game
"Wind is always a factor in the kicking game. We had a couple kicks that were not what we wanted. I was pleased overall with our special teams. Things can happen. We made some field goals though. Every point is big this time of year."
On Vincent Marshall becoming the all-time leading receiver
"I don't know the right word to use. I'm proud for him. It shows durability, consistency and talent, and he has all three. It's a great honor for him because of the great receivers that have come through this University."
HOUSTON QUARTERBACK Kevin Kolb
Opening Statement
"The defense played unbelievable. You have to give it all to them. We did what we had to offensively, special teams was solid and the defense's play was magnificent. It was a total team win and that is what feels the best. We had a lot of things working today. We wanted to secure the ball, take care of their game and it worked out."
"The crowd showed up. We prepared very well. Basically this was the one we had circled for a while. We can't let up now. We wanted this one and we got it. We like where we are. It's in our hands, we like it that way. We've taken care of it so far, beaten some people that no one thought we could be and we're here."
"It's a huge win for the program. It's definitely the biggest game we've had. We have to take care of business down the road but right now, this outweighs everything."
Late first half touchdown pass
"The thing I liked about it was we had set ourselves back three times on that drive. It shows our toughness when you can keep driving and completing passes like that. Everybody kept focus and kept the faith. Vincent (Marshall) popped open and made the play."
On Vincent Marshall becoming UH's all-time leading receiver
"It's no surprise. It's nice when you can throw him a screen pass and he can take it for 60 yards. That's probably the reason where I'm at is because of people like him. I think it's a tribute to what coach Briles does here and also to the offensive line."
HOUSTON CORNERBACK Willie Gaston
"We have to give credit to the coaching staff. They had a great game plan and we executed it. We knew they were going to be a heavy screen team, so we tried to man up on the outside and it worked out. The whole defense played great, period. We need to keep riding this wave of momentum because we have another big game this week."
HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVER Vincent Marshall
"It's a huge win. You saw after the game how big it was for the fans and us. It feels good to break the record. It's something I have wanted since I've been here. Coach Phillips always talks about leaving a legacy on the field and I've tried to do that. Coach Briles' play-calling was great tonight. We were on them the whole game, just had a good game plan."
HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVER Anthony Alridge
"I didn't know how close I was to the sideline on that long run. I was just trying to get past the defender, run as fast as I could. It's taken some time to get used to being a running back again. I have been getting adjusted. Our offensive line and fullbacks have been blocking like crazy, opening up holes. I hate going down on first contact. I try to be patient, but go as fast as I can and as hard as I can. We are in control of the West and we have to keep it up for the last two games."
TULSA HEAD COACH STEVE KRAGTHORPE
Opening statements
"We give them a lot of credit they are good football team. I give my hats of to them they beat us today. We made some errors today that we couldn't overcome. You have to take care of the football and you have to minimize the plays. When you are playing a game like this, playing a good team like this, and we didn't do that today and we'll bounce back. I have a lot of confidence in this team. I thought we could continue to play hard throughout the course of the game. I thought our effort was good, we just have to execute a little better."
On Houston's scoring drive prior to the half
"That was a big play on their part but then again we were down 17-10 and we felt like we could come back. You have to give them a lot of credit. They made a nice play but I am proud of my team. I am proud of our team, the way they continued to battle throughout the course of the game and never gave up. It was evident by the way we came out, we held them to a field goal (at the start of the second half), working the ball down the field and trying to score at the end. We are going to play hard every time we walk out on the field but we are just disappointed in the fact that we didn't win today. I am not disappointed in the team in the way they played with heart and the way they played with effort."
On the beginning of the third quarter
"It was the same score differential last week against UTEP. I felt like we could come back and still win the game. I felt like with even five minutes left in the game we could still come back and win it."
On the fumble inside the 10-yard line that made it a seven point game
"It was one of a couple plays in the game that we wish we had back. But one play doesn't define a game. We made some errors and that was one of them but that was not the deciding factor of the game."
On Houston's speed
"They have good speed and they have some guys that can make plays and they do a good job. Kevin (Kolb) does a great job of getting the ball out of his hands. He has been running this offense since he was in the seventh grade so he knew what he was doing. So going into the week I knew we had to be in good preparation. I think he has a great chance of being a good NFL player too."
TULSA LINEBACKER CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN
"Basically it was a combination of their speed and us giving up big plays. We knew they were a big play offense and they had big play capability. There were a couple missed tackles here and a couple missed assignments there and I think that was the key for them. We had them third-and-long and we gave up a big shot and a touchdown right before the half. Coming out in the second half they had a big play. That was a big turning point of the game/ We weren't able to close in on them."
TULSA RECEIVER IDRIS MOSS
"The execution was there but we just have to make plays. As a whole we just didn't make plays and we did not make big plays on offense. We have to go watch film and get ready to play Rice. You have to move on. We still have a chance to win the championship and that's what we are going to go on and do."
