University of Houston Athletics
Football Press Conference Quotes
11/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
HEAD COACH Kevin Sumlin
Opening Statement
"Obviously we are excited, coming off a good win on Saturday night. It was a good crowd and there was good energy in the stadium and, more than anything else, I was pleased with our energy level in the last couple days of practice and how we started the game and throughout the game."
"Our defense came out and we were able to hold them and then score on our next possession, which was an improvement over the last couple of weeks. We got off to a decently fast start and that carried throughout the game. Offensively we had a bunch of people contribute and that's what this time of year is about. We had a bunch of guys contribute that have been in some back-up rolls and have come on and played. Then we had our players that have been playing well and have continued to lead the team, particularly our seniors on defense but offensively, there have been a number of skill players that have played well. That reflects on our offensive line and our offensive staff, particularly Joe Gilbert working with the offensive line, moving guys around and playing with new players. You look at the game and Chris Thompson got a couple snaps at tackle and that is going to give us some flexibility with he and Matt Hart at that position.
"Our guys have continued to play well, including (Jordan) Shoemaker, Carl Barnett, and Sebastian Vollmer. We have started to take some of these guys for granted over the last nine games but they have done really well. We were able to move the ball and score points. We have to protect the ball better this week and cut down on penalties. Defensively, we played with great energy. The front controlled the line of scrimmage, we tackled pretty well and we were physical. If we can bring that kind of energy, we will certainly need it on Saturday night. We are getting better defensively and just our general effort running to the ball. I was pleased with our whole demeanor Saturday night.
"Special teams wise, we have to clean up some stuff. We missed a field goal and part of kickoff coverage is hang time and depth of the kick and we have to get everything working on the same page there. What you take away from the game on Saturday night is that we have to take away penalties, we had twice as many penalties as we average during the year, and we turned the ball over. We are getting closer and we are playing harder for four quarters. I am really pleased with the energy that we played with Saturday and we need to continue that the rest of the year."
On the Tulsa game
"Tulsa comes in here as an offensive juggernaut. They average 52 points a game and are big. They lead the league in offense and scoring. They also lead the league in third down conversions. (Quarterback) David Johnson is doing a great job. They have good skill players and dangerous players at every position that can go wire to wire. They have a good scheme, they spread the ball out and make you worry about a whole bunch of stuff. When you look between the numbers, they are also the number one rushing team in the league. As soon as you get concerned with a quick strike, you look up and they are running for almost 250 yards a game. They are doing a great job on offense and they have some guys that know what they are doing. They run a variety of different things and you can't prepare for it all. You have to be sound in what you are doing and they have had an extra week so there will be a whole bunch of things that we won't be able to practice for. You can expect anything."
"Defensively, they are giving up 26 points a game, which might seem like a random number but when you are scoring 52 points it doesn't matter. Every time you score, they score twice. That's the way it has been for them this year and they are really good. They do a good job of having different pressure packages. They want to create negative plays and get you off schedule. By doing that they are trying to get you behind the chains with second and long and third and long and then bring some things that you have never seen before.
"We have to do a good job of being balanced on offense and being good on defense. This team has represented the west before and they are a ranked opponent. Todd (Graham) has done a great job with the program. They come in here and you try and look at different ways to get after them. They have a freshman kick returner that is doing a great job for them. He is averaging 28 yards a kick return and 177 all-purpose yards. They have good skill and they have a guy in their quarterback, (David) Johnson that can deliver the ball around the field. They are playing with a high energy level and they have had a week to get healed up and do some things.
"For us, the focus for us has not been about the opponent but about ourselves. If we can shore up something and play with intensity for four quarters, like we did last week, we are capable of beating anyone on our schedule. When you get to this time of year, more than anything else, this game will come down the third downs, us staying on the field and our ability to get them off the field on third down. It will come down to big plays. In any good fight, there is going to be big plays and there will be big plays by both teams. There are going to be good times and bad times and it is going to be how you respond to those things when they happen and be able to counter-punch with them and eliminate turnovers."
On how the team has stepped up in the face of injury
"The only new injury is Matt Nicholson. He tried to go last week and couldn't and he will have surgery next week. He had a torn ligament in his knee prior to the game and tried to go but couldn't. We are going to go ahead and get that fixed for next year."
"We have had a number of guys come in and provide a spark to keep our level of play up. Cory Johnson was in at long snapper and CJ Cavness came in and played well last Saturday. Cody Pree has really come on in the last few weeks and helped us in the front. This time of year your good players have got to continue to play at their level but the role players that now become starters are put in roles and they have to be able to play at that level too and we are getting that out of our guys."
On Phillip Hunt's hit on Tulane quarterback Joe Kemp
"Phillip released a statement yesterday and it has been addressed. We are sorry about what happened. The league said what they had to say about the incident and so have we. It was an unfortunate incident and we feel bad about it. Phillip feels bad about it. Nobody on our side heard a whistle and it was a bang, bang play. As far as we are concerned it is over and done with."
FRESHMAN WIDE RECEIVER Patrick Edwards
On watching the play on the computer or TV after it had happened
"It didn't look that bad to me. When I saw the play in slow motion, I thought it could've been worse; I might not have been able to walk again. The doctor says I will be up and running again in no time."
On the play that he broke his leg
"I remember focusing on the ball and as soon as it hit my fingertips I ran into the carts. My leg went numb and I flipped over and I didn't feel anything until they put my foot in the brace."
On his feelings on the situation
"I was a little mad, but everything happens for a reason. I wish that I had seen the carts and I might have been able to jump over them or something."
On what his plans are here on out
"I hope that I will be back as I was this season. I am going to work hard and be back before the spring. They told me I will be back in the spring, but I can't have full contact. I can run though. I saw Dr. Lowe this past Saturday and he told me it will take four months to heal and in two months, I should be able to walk on it and off these crutches. He said I will be able to play next season, and my leg will be stronger than ever. They took the staples out of my leg today and my leg feels a lot better."
On what Marshall has done since the injury
"I have received a lot of cards in the mail. The head coach of Marshall and a couple of the players came by and saw me. I thought that was very nice."
SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK Case Keenum
On playing Tulsa
"It is the next step for our four game season we have at the end. We prepare each week the same. We do our job, execute, put some first downs together and score some touchdowns."
On the chance to beat Tulsa
"That is part of our goals. We want to win the west. This is a big step in staying in the hunt for the west title. It is a big week and we are going out there prepared and do our jobs."
On the offense that will be played during the Tulsa game
"This is definitely a powered offense game. We know that when our defense gets stops, we will have to produce and put some points up on the board. Whenever they do get a stop, we will go out there and do our jobs."
On the loss last year against Tulsa
"Honestly, I forgot a lot of last year's game. That is one thing that coach told me. Good quarterbacks have amnesia. I will forget about the last play, the last game no matter if it is good or bad. I don't even know if we watched the film on that. We have a lot of new faces, players and coaches. They know about it (the loss), but it is new for everyone. We are concentrating on this year and our goals that we set this year."
