University of Houston Athletics
Football Begins Preparations for Rice
8/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2006
HOUSTON - The University of Houston officially began preparations for its Sept. 2 season opener against Conference USA rival Rice on Tuesday with a spirited workout at the UH practice fields.
In a practice which featured a little of everything from the weather, the Cougars began installing the game plan for the Owls while working out in full pads for more than two hours. After starting the day with hot, humid temperatures in the 90s, rain moved through downtown Houston, cooling things off and altering the Cougars' routine a bit.
"A little rain always causes a disruption in the flow," Briles said.
The Cougar players started classes on Monday, putting the team in its regular workout schedule. After undergoing a rigorous and structured training camp schedule since early August, the players and coaches had to adjust to the additional responsibilities of class work.
"With class starting, it throws everyone into a different mindset," Briles said. "We had to work through a couple of issues there and get everyone focused and on track and understanding that there are certain parts of the day that all we do is concentrate on football."
Despite the moody weather and the new classroom duties, Briles said he was pleased with the way the Cougars performed Tuesday and expected more of the same for the rest of the week.
"Our guys did well. They battled hard, and we finished strong," the fourth-year UH head coach said. "We ended up having a good workout out of it."
The extra week of preparations for Rice will be a major asset for Briles and his assistant coaches. With new head coach Todd Graham leading the Owls, Briles admitted that it would be a challenge to face the Owls and their new scheme on both sides of the ball. However, he said he felt confident that his veteran ballclub would be able to adjust to the new-look Owls.
"It's a tough proposition for us. We have to go into it with ideas and not definites. That's the tough deal for us because we are not really sure what they are going to do, when they are going to do and how they are going to do it," Briles said. "But, we have a mature football team. We have to be poised and under control early in the game. As the game progresses, we will start to get a feel for what they are doing on both sides of the ball.
In addition to classroom and football duties, the Cougar team also will be busy this weekend as the Athletics Department holds a Football Fan Appreciation Day beginning at 4:30 p.m., Saturday in the Athletics/Alumni Center. All Cougar fans are encouraged to attend.
The 2006 Cougar Football team and coaching staff will be in attendance to sign autographs and be available for photos. Free Double Dave's Pizza and refreshments will be provided as well as interactive games such as 20-yard shuttle, field-goal kicking, Cougar tire toss and a College Football Video Game Experience showcasing NCAA Football 2007 by EA Sports.
Doors open at 4 p.m., with games and food available around 4:30 p.m.. At 5 p.m., the team will enter the complex with the band and cheerleaders. UH Director of Athletics Dave Maggard will speak to the crowd before handing the microphone to Briles. The autograph session will begin shortly after the introductions.
For more information on Football Fan Appreciation Day, please contact the UH Marketing Office at 713-743-9450.
