University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Daily Football Practice Notes
10/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2007
HOUSTON - - In near perfect weather conditions, the University of Houston football team continued their preparations for Sunday night's nationally-televised game against SMU Wednesday afternoon.
The Cougars worked out in full pads for nearly 2 ½ hours on the UH practice fields under clear skies with temperatures around 80 degrees with 52% humidity, and Houston head coach Art Briles was really pleased with the focus of his football team.
"We had good focus today, and that is what we have to do this time of year" Briles said. "We have to focus on what we need to do to win conference football games. I like the direction of our team. We have some guys leading the team properly on and off the field."
The Cougars enter Sunday night's game with a 5-3 record, including a 4-1 Conference USA mark after winning their third straight conference game at UTEP last Saturday night.
After the long trips to El Paso and UAB, Briles is thankful to have an extra day of practice this week.
"It really helps us coming off two long road trips," Briles said. "It really came at a good time because one extra day this time of year means a lot to a football team. It is a situation where it has really worked out well for us."
Briles is trying to use the extra time to help his team keep improving even after its recent success.
"We are polishing up and getting better as a football team this week," Briles added. "We have to stay a determined football team."
Fans can hear Sunday's 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.
Sunday's game also will be televised live nationally on ESPN with Eric Collins calling the play-by-play action, Bill Curry providing color analysis and Dave Ryan reporting from the sideline.
It will be the fourth time this season that Houston is playing a home game on television this season, and the Cougars enter the game with a 2-1 mark in those games. The two wins came on John O'Quinn Field against Colorado State and Rice.
