University of Houston Athletics
Football Continues Green Wave Preps
9/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 6, 2006
HOUSTON - The University of Houston football returned outside for a two-hour workout Wednesday afternoon at the UH Athletics Complex in preparation for the home-opener at Robertson Stadium against Tulane.
Houston will look to go 2-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2003 season when the Cougars opened up C-USA action with wins at East Carolina and Tulane.
"It was a beautiful day to be outside," head coach Art Briles said. "It was a good practice with good intensity and tempo. We have a chance to go 2-0 in conference and sit on the top of the Western Division standings for a while."
The Cougars picked up a 31-30 comeback victory over Rice last Saturday, while this week's game will mark the season opener for the Green Wave.
"We have the advantage of knowing what our guys can do in game type situations," Briles said. "The disadvantage for us is not knowing their personal and schemes."
Offensively, Tulane returns quarterback Lester Ricard. He has started on-and-off over the last three seasons and ranks seventh at Tulane in passing yards and completions. Richard has thrown for 3,813 career yards and 37 touchdowns in his career.
Preston Brown, Ricard's favorite target, also returns this season after being named an All-Conference USA Third-Team selection a season ago. Brown racked up 720 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He also recorded 10 catches of 20-yards or more.
"Tulane's scheme on offense allows them to move the ball different ways," Briles said. "It's different than what we saw at Rice last week. Tulane does a good job of utilizing their running backs on screens and getting them involved in the passing game."
Antonio Harris anchors the front seven of the Green Wave defense and was named to the All-Conference USA Preseason Team after corralling 34 tackles last season.
Israel Route headlines the secondary and has picked off Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb twice in his career. Route didn't record an interception off Kolb last season because he left the game with an injury on the first play from scrimmage, but Briles is still aware of Route's talents.
"Route's a great player that has a knack for anticipating and jumping routes," Briles said. "He can also return kicks. We will know where No. 4 is on the field at all times."
The 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 also be heard live on the Internet by logging onto www.UHCougars.com.
The UH Athletics Department is also announcing a pair of start time changes. Both the UCF (Oct. 28) and Tulsa (Nov. 4) games have been moved up to 2:30pm kickoffs at Robertson Stadium to accommodate CSTV.
