University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Practice Notes
10/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 10, 2007
UHOUSTON - - The University of Houston football team continued its preparations for this weekend's Conference USA showdown against cross-town rival Rice with a two-hour practice in mild temperatures on Wednesday afternoon at the UH Practice Fields.
Following the workout, head coach Art Briles commented that he was pleased with his team's preparations for the Owls.
"It was a good practice today," Briles said. "We had a lot of energy and focus. We are one day closer and are getting better and better mentally and physically."
The Cougars face Rice at 2:30 p.m., Saturday in the friendly confines of John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. Fans can hear the game live on 790 AM The Sports Animal with Tom Franklin calling the play-by-play action, David Klingler providing color analysis and Chuck Brown reporting from the sideline. The pre-game show is slated to begin one hour before kickoff. Fans also can follow live stats over the Internet by clicking the "Gametracker" link at UHCougars.com.
The game also will be shown live on CSTV with Tom Hart calling the play-by-play action and Trev Alberts providing color analysis.
For the 31st time, the Bayou Bucket Trophy will be on the line when the Cougars face the Owls this weekend. The Cougars enter Saturday's game with a 2-3 overall record and are 1-1 in the Conference USA standings after dropping a hard-fought 30-24 decision at Alabama last weekend. The Owls have a 1-4 overall record, but are 1-0 against C-USA teams after winning 31-29 at Southern Miss on Oct. 3.
"The only thing we are looking at is the fact that Rice is 1-0 in conference play and leading the West Division," Briles said. "We know they will play with a lot of intensity and a lot of emotion as we are. Anytime it is a rival game, you throw out the records, go play and try to make good things for your side."
Even though Houston suffered its second straight loss at Alabama, Briles continues to be pleased with his team's comeback ability. The Cougars trailed 23-0 against the Crimson Tide and had a chance to pull out a victory in the final seconds of the game, before falling 30-24.
"We knew we had a bunch of fighters who want to prove themselves on the football field," Briles said. "That is what we are doing as a team. We know who we are. We are trying to prove ourselves as a football team."
