University of Houston Athletics
Football Daily Practice Report
8/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 21, 2007
HOUSTON - As the 2007 season opener draws closer, the University of Houston football team continued its preparations with a solid workout Tuesday on the UH practice fields.
Working out in full pads for a little over two hours, the Cougars began installing their game plan for the Sept. 1 season opener at Oregon. Following the workout, head coach Art Briles said he was pleased with the progress his team had made since the start of training camp.
"I like the spirit. We've got some guys that are leading and showing good energy. It's getting closer to showtime, and our guys are responding," said Briles, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the Cougar program. "We have to step up, we have to be ready to play and we are going to be."
The Cougars open their season at 2:30 p.m. (CDT), Sept. 1 when they meet Pacific-10 Conference member Oregon at Autzen 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 pregame show is slated to begin one hour before kickoff.
Although the team had been focusing on fundamentals since training camp began Aug. 1, Tuesday's workout was the first time that the team turned its attention to the Ducks. Although the season opener is 11 days away, Briles and his coaching staff used the extra time to begin installing the game plan.
"We are going to start locking down and getting ready to get after them. It's a good feeling because we have a lot of time to get ready," Briles said. "It's going to be a great game for the Houston Cougars."
In addition to their football responsibilities, the Cougar players began their classroom duties with the start of school earlier this week. Despite the extra work for the players in the morning, Briles said he was pleased his team's focus during their Tuesday workout and grateful that classes began a week before the season opener.
"We are glad that we are starting school this week where they have a chance to get acclimated, get settled down and get their schedules going. We will be on a regular flow next week," Briles said. "Today was fine. Everybody handled themselves well. We have a mature football team."
The University of Houston Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has set Friday as its annual Fan Appreciation Night for the Cougar Football team. Fan Appreciation Night offers the fans an opportunity to meet and interact with the 2007 Houston Cougar Football team.
The event will be held in the Yeoman Field House with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. A pep rally will begin at 6 p.m. with the Spirit of Houston band playing to introduce the Cougars. Both UH Director of Athletics Dave Maggard and Briles will address the fans in attendance.
Fans can take part in a variety of attractions and games, including a 20-yard shuttle run, field-goal kick, Cougar Tire Toss and a video game experience featuring the 2008 EA Sports College Football game. Food and refreshments also will be provided during the festivities.
Autographs and photos with the players will be available, and then all fans are encouraged to attend the volleyball match at 8 p.m., featuring the Cougars against Texas-Arlington in the Yeoman Field House.
For more information, please contact the UH Marketing Department at 713-743-9453.
