University of Houston Athletics
Football Press Conference Quotes
11/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
HEAD COACH Kevin Sumlin
Opening Statement:
"Last week, we played well and responded particularly well after a disappointing week. It was as close to a complete game as we played with all of the injuries. We were extremely efficient on offense with our possessions and didn't turn the ball over. Defensively, we were able to play a lot of guys especially in the second half and still hold Memphis to 14 points.
"Special teams wise, our coverage was solid. We have a number of people who have come in as freshman or walk-ons that have solidified their roles on this team in helping us win.
"Our team has been outstanding in the past three weeks. We have had a lot of guys who have accepted that role in helping us win, playing 20 to 30 snaps a game. Those guys have come into the game, played at a high level and helped us win. Guys like Tim Mercer, Tim Monroe and Jeffery Lewis. That's what they do, and they're taking pride in it. That's made the different through the stretch. We need to continue to compete at that level, get better and play complete football games.
"This week is a week for that. It's an emotional week for us being Senior Night. We don't have a lot of seniors, particularly seniors that are starting for this team. What they have done is accepted us a coaches and accepted a different staff. They have been through enough. They have done a great job with leadership this year. They've led us through some good times, some difficult times and a bunch of firsts. As a staff, we are indebted to them. It will be an emotional time, as their last time in Robertson Stadium and with the (Bayou) Bucket at stake.
"We have enough to be focused on this week. Last week, I said we needed to win the next two games at home, and if we won those games, who knows what will be out there for us. This week is all about getting the Bucket back. That's our focus. That's where our preparation level needs to be. Everyone wanted to talk yesterday about what's at stake and what's going on. As a team, we talked more about what you can control, which is the game Saturday because after that you don't know. Our focus is on winning the game."
JUNIOR QUARTERBACK Case Keenum
On being a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Trophy:
"It's going to be an honor to be there with those guys. I look up to Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow not only as football players but the men they are off the field. It's going to be a special honor for me."
On the chances of winning:
"It's a weird deal. There's never really a good time to talk or think about it. I'm trying to focus on the task at hand, and I'll enjoy the award show later when I'm there."
On the game this Saturday:
"We play Rice for the Bayou Bucket, and it's always a special game. We know they're going to come out and play hard, and its going to be a fun game and atmosphere - it always is versus Rice. I'm excited to play this game."
On the Bayou Bucket Rivalry:
"This game means a lot each year, and it's a new team each year. It's a rivalry, not a grudge. We have a bunch of new guys and so do they. We all have memories from last year but we know this is a new game.
"The Bucket means a lot to us around here. I think a lot of guys didn't realize that last year, being so young. Once we get out there in the atmosphere at game time, they'll realize how much it means to us and the fans."
SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK Justin Johnson
On loss against UCF:
"We made our mistakes, and we have to live with them. Our biggest goal is just to finish out the season with a win. That's what we want to do."
SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER Tyron Carrier
On concentration at the Memphis game:
"If we wouldn't have handled our business and worried about our business, then losing wouldn't have mattered. We have to set our focus at our task at hand, our game at hand, the next game. We have to focus on one game at a time."
On upcoming game:
"If you can't get pumped up for this game, with the Bucket on the line, what game can you get pumped up for?"
JUNIOR WIDE RECIEVR James Cleveland
On upcoming game against Rice:
"I haven't been able to walk through Rice Village. I have some friends that go to Rice, and I heard about it last year."
On game against Memphis:
"It was a situation where we had to come out and prove ourselves because we knew what happened at the UCF game, that wasn't us. That's not how we play. Our credit goes to UCF, but last week we just got back to doing what we do. It wasn't a situation where we said, `aw, what happened,' and pointed fingers and shook heads. It wasn't anything like that. We know what we can do, what we're supposed to do. We just didn't get it done a week prior. The Memphis game just gave us a complete vision. Like coach said, it was the closest game to a complete game that we've had all season. You know, we've won nine games, but I think we knew we hadn't put it all together yet."
On injury:
"I'm great; I'm doing a lot better. I felt that I could've played Saturday, but the decision was out of my hands. It was finally made out of my best interest as well as the team. There may be a situation where I'm held out another week. We'll talk to the head trainer and see how it goes, but I feel great."
SENIOR CORNERBACK Brandon Brinkley
On the Rice game:
"It's going to be a very emotional game. I am very excited about it. I will have a lot of family out there. We want to get the Bucket back."
SENIOR LINEBACKER C.J CAVNESS
On Senior night:
"It has been a long road for all of the seniors. It is going to be a great atmosphere and emotional for all of us."
On the season:
"We have accomplished a lot of things this year that a lot of schools haven't, but our aim is to get the Bucket back."
On Rice:
"They are going to come out and play with a lot of emotion. They will play it like a championship game. We can't look to the future. We have to focus on Rice."
