University of Houston Athletics
Football Press Conference Quotes
8/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 28, 2007
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HEAD COACH Art Briles
On the Oregon game:
"We are very excited about the season. We are ready to get it going because we have been out there banging around for about 30 days and we are ready to get out there and get after someone else for a while. It's the right time, the right place and the right journey, so we'll get out there and see what happens. We are pretty excited about what we think is going to transpire."
On Oregon:
"They are going to be tough opponent, but I hope our guys are mature enough to know that we have to be ready regardless of who we are playing. This is not a deal where we are thinking, hey we are going to Oregon and it's going to be this great adventure. What we are doing is going up there and fighting hard to represent this university and win the football game. That's the bottom line."
"They have good people. They have always had good people. They are one of the winningest Pac-10 team in the last decade. Schematically, they are very secure on both sides of the ball. Very aggressive defensively, and multiples on the offense, option oriented, throwing the ball, with good people doing it and good people catching it. They are a talented football team."
On the team's confidence going into the game:
"I think (we have) a little more realistic confidence. It's easier to operate on reality than it is hope so we have to operate on a little bit of reality this year because of what has transpired in the past. That doesn't mean things are going to work out like we want them to work out all the time so we've got to always strive to improve and build on whatever we have going on so that's our goal and our mission this year."
On the quarterback situation:
"We really haven't (made a decision). It's not a deal where we are holding a big secret or anything like that. I am just as concerned about who is going to start at left guard, center and cornerback and who is going to be our punter. Those are situations that are equally important to the football team. It's a deal where we will go through this week and get through Saturday and see what transpires. We don't have any game experience to rely on in making a decision so it a situation where possibly both guys can see action Saturday."
On the defense:
"I feel really comfortable on that side of the ball. Coach (Alan) Weddell and his staff have done a great job and they have some good senior leaders over there. They are doing a good job for us. We have some guys that can really move around the field and play, and play with a lot of tenacity and toughness. Football is an emotional game and it is more so emotional on the defensive side of the ball and sometimes you have to be a little more controlled than you do on defense. With defense, you have to play with emotion and that's something that our guys are getting to do and something our guys have to do. I am really anxious to get them on the field Saturday and get to work because we have some guys that can move and play."
