University of Houston Athletics
Football Press Conference Quotes
10/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 16, 2007
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Quotes from University of Houston Football Press Conference Tuesday, October 16, 2007 * Houston, Texas * Athletics/Alumni Center
HEAD COACH Art Briles ON THE RICE GAME:
"Congratulations to our fans, our student-body in particular, for the way they supported us the other day against Rice. Any time you play an intracity game like that it's a big game and our players responded in a big way. I'm really proud of our University, our student-body in particular, and our players. It was a good win, but it's a win that shows we still have growth left in front of us. That's what inspires me as a football coach about this football team; we're not near where we're going to be or where we need to be.
"We might have played well in some areas but we can get a lot better in a lot of other areas. We have a lot of growth in front of us. The thing that I want to do is make sure we understand how we can finish this thing up in a positive fashion. We're excited about the road ahead and understand it begins again against UAB."
ON WHAT THE TEAM NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL
"You always try to improve on both sides of the ball, special teams, defense, offense. We certainly haven't got the questions answered anywhere. Certain games take on an offensive flow like the one did the other day. We certainly don't anticipate that happening again this week, we don't feel like it will. We'll play it out as it plays out. Right now, we still have a world of confidence in our guys on the field and the way we're doing things. Through some mistakes on the offensive side of the ball and special teams, we put ourselves in a bind. What our defense understands is that even though they may get in a bind it doesn't mean that what everybody thinks is going to happen is going to happen. Just because they get the ball to the 10 (yard line) you can't think they're going to get a touchdown. You have to stop them for no points or a field goal at the very most. That's the mindset we're getting to and we'll continue to go from there."
ON THE THREE ROAD-GAME STRETCH
"It's always a big stretch and I didn't even know that until you mentioned it because all I know is that we have UAB this week. I didn't realize we have three of the next four on the road. When you go play a conference game and you're at home you take advantage of being at home and if you're on the road you play tough. You have to be that much more focused and that much more in a tough-minded mode when you go play on the road. You have to play hard for 60 minutes and win and get back home. That's all we'll do. We know that if we're going to win the Conference USA Championship we have to win on the road, just like everyone else in the conference has to do."
ON Donnie Avery's AND Anthony Alridge's NCAA RECORD PERFORMANCES AGAINST RICE
"I would like to congratulate Donnie (Avery) and Anthony (Alridge) on what they accomplished the other day. It's a little mind-boggling to know that it was a first time in NCAA history performance; our University of Houston football team had a 300-yard reception guy and a 200-yard rusher. For them that is an amazing accomplishment. I am proud for them and the best thing about them is they're great teammates. That's what makes them special and that's what makes our team special and that's why we'll have a chance to do some great things. That's an amazing accomplishment and they'll be humble about it. I know how they are but it's kind of mind-boggling.
NOTE: This week's game will be broadcast on 740 AM KTRH instead of 790 AM The Sports Animal
