University of Houston Athletics
Football Press Conference Quotes
10/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 30, 2007
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Quotes from University of Houston Football Press Conference Tuesday, October 30, 2007 * Houston, Texas * Athletics/Alumni Center
HEAD COACH Art Briles
On the UTEP game:
"Last Saturday's win was as good a win as we've had around here in a long time, tough win and tough environment in the fashion that we did it. I was really, really proud of our players, their determination, their attitude and their belief. It reemphasized what they've been doing for a long time so it was a very, very gratifying effort. A good one to come out on top on. Now we have to move on, be just as good as we were last week and better this week at home against SMU. That's where all of our focus and energy is now, getting ready for SMU."
On what kind of game the team is going to put out for ESPN:
"It's a welcome sight to be back at home, that's the main thing. We've been on the road the last two weeks. The only product we're concerned about putting out is one that puts a W on the field. That's all that we're really concerned about at this time because that's all that matters at this state in the season."
On the importance of a packed house with ESPN airing the game:
"It's huge. I think it will be a really huge factor. It will be a factor in helping us gain game momentum in the football game. Plus, that's the way it ought to be. You play a Sunday night football game at home, the house needs to be full."
On how the team has grown throughout the season:
"I think we're getting better every time we step on the field. That's the encouraging thing about the football team, we're getting right, at the right time. It's right at November and December. I like the direction of our team, I like the direction of our leadership on the team. We're just becoming a more intelligent, a more machine like football team and that's the type of team we want to be. We want to step out on the field and know what we're going to get when we're stepping out there and we're getting to that point."
On how important the momentum of the offense is and how, when it gets going, it can allow the team to breath easy:
"I've been in this thing long enough to know that when you start breathing easy is when all of sudden you start gasping. We don't ever feel comfortable, we don't ever feel like we've arrived or we're doing what we need to do as well as it needs to be done. Offensively, defensively, special teams; we're always trying to find ways to improve and get better and just do our job on the field."
On how people refer to the team as the "spread" or the "run and shoot" and yet the past two weeks the Cougars have had 300+ rushing yards:
"It's kind of funny. We kind of have that perception of being a throwing football team, but we've always prided ourselves in being able to run the football. We were sixth in the nation in 2003 rushing the football and we've been in the 15's or 20's since then. We're going to run the football and that's something we don't hide from."
On whether or not coach Briles thought his team would be so effective on the ground:
"We'd like to be (effective on the ground). We have a good offensive line, we've got to play hard up front and we've got guys that can tote the mail. With that combination and with the threat of throwing the football, then you have the opportunity to run the ball effectively. They work hand in hand, you run the ball then we're going to be able to throw it, if you throw it well then you're going to be able to run it. You have to be able to do both and I think we're capable of doing that."
On how important the spacing issue is to running back Anthony Alridge's abilities:
"Well Anthony (Alridge) is going to do what he does, it doesn't matter what the spacing situation is. He's a little bit of a special individual. But, without a doubt, people have to respect Jeron (Harvey), Donnie (Avery) and (Mark) Hafner and all those people that are catching the ball. They have to respect that, if they don't they don't want to get into individual match-ups which allows us to run the ball a little better."
On the importance of turnovers:
"It's a huge difference. It's something I'm really proud of our team for, it's something we've taken some pride in the last couple weeks. It's a trend that needs to continue because it's making a difference in the outcome of the games."
On the quarterback situation:
"Honestly, like I've said the past five weeks, it's a non-issue. We have a bunch of guys on this football team that are battling hard to help us win a football game. That's all we're concerned with. Who starts, who doesn't start, makes no difference. How they help us win makes a difference. Not just at that position, but in every position. We have guys fighting to help us win and that's what happened the other night. That was a total team win by a bunch of individuals playing as a team. It clicked in a big victory for the University of Houston."
"Let's have a good week and a big win next Sunday."
