University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Football Weekly Press Conference
8/31/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 31, 2010
HOUSTON - Head football coach Kevin Sumlin and members of the team took questions from the media as the University of Houston prepares for its season opener against Texas State on Saturday.
HEAD COACH Kevin Sumlin
This is the first press conference of the year, and we're excited. We're no different than any other team or any other coaching staff. We're all pretty tired of looking at each other, and we're ready to play somebody else. If your team is not in that position, then you have to worry. We've had a pretty good camp over all. It's really different this year in the fact that we've had two weeks of classes instead of just a week. When class starts, it's game week. It gives us a chance to get an extra week of school and figure out the routine change. It doesn't seem like a big deal to some people, but it is different.
We had school start last week, and we're into the second week of school, but it's game week and we've been able to almost duplicate the weeks so that our young guys know what's ahead of them and what their schedule is going to be like. More than anything else, our guys are excited to play and our coaches are excited to play. For coaches, I don't know what anyone else would say, but you really don't know where you are until you get out there on the field and see the guys actually play. We have some experienced guys, but we also have some first-year guys that we're counting on. Whether they're freshmen, whether they're redshirt freshmen, whether they're first year transfers, it'll be a new experience for them and we're looking forward to it.
We have a lot of respect for Coach Brad Wright from Texas State. They've done a great job at recruiting and coaching their players. There's a good reason that people are talking to them about not only Division I status but also being in conference realignment as well. They have competed well with Division I programs, and they've won. All you have to do is take a look at the history of this series, and we're 0-3. That's enough to get our guys to pay attention. It's something that I didn't even know until about a week ago, and that slapped me in the face. If that's not enough to get your attention, I don't know what will.
This is obviously a different year and a different time, but our guys are anxious to play and realize as we talk that you only have 12 chances as a college football player. You earn the right for chances 13 and 14, but it all starts with the first opportunity, and this is opportunity No. 1.
On the team having overconfidence about the season
I find that most people will say that, and I turn around we're not in the top 25. We obviously have a lot to work on, and I wouldn't worry about us having a big head.
On the biggest surprise of camp
The weather. It has been hot. I don't know that there's been a bunch of surprises. The two junior college players that came in during the spring solidified themselves as starters. James Cleveland coming off shoulder surgery last year worked himself back in, but he's really no surprise. He's a good player. Our other two receivers that had over 1,000 yards last year are going to do great. Maybe the biggest surprise is Isaiah Thompson solidifying himself as a great player. He's got great ability offensively. He's really moved into a situation where we really needed him to build depth.
On the defensive front
We had a discussion this morning, and you're going to be looking at the three first-line guys--David Hunter, Matangi Tonga and Tyrone Campbell. As the first three, you're going to see a rotation that really makes them fluid. Right now, Tyrone is playing very well, and David Hunter is capable of being an elite player. You'll be looking at seven or eight guys, and we'll probably end up settling on six guys for a rotation after we see them play.
QUARTERBACK Case Keenum
On assistant coach Kliff Kingsbury:
He has helped out tremendously. Our relationship is really good because he has been in the exact same shoes as I am. I can go to him about anything. He is here for me.
On being a coach on the field:
We have a lot of coaches out there on the field. During the summer, we had all the older wide receivers and running backs coaching up the new guys. We all learn the offense and the offense becomes easier when you teach it to someone.
On what you want out of the season opener:
Main goal is to win, on both sides of the ball. We need to protect the football. That goes right up there with winning. It is important as a football team to go out there and execute.
On the Heisman Trophy talk:
I am not going to let it bother me; I enjoy more getting the University of Houston name out there. My focus is going out on Saturdays and winning.
On having another year with James Cleveland, Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards:
The experience that these guys have is priceless. These guys are special and can do special things with the ball in their hand.
WIDE RECEIVER James Cleveland
On what impresses him the most about the new defense:
We have a couple new faces. Sammy Brown and Mantangi Tonga are playing very well. The energy that they are bringing is what excites us the most. The offense is getting involved and helping out the defense by bringing some energy as well. The schemes that they are bringing in are similar to NFL defenses so it's exciting for us to watch and to watch our defense do well.
On the goals the offense has set for the year:
We want to be tops in the nation once again. As far as specific goals, we want to take care of business every time we're out there. There's a big emphasis on ball control - no turnovers, no fumbles. Statistically, we're not really looking at numbers. The numbers will take care of themselves. We're looking at what we can control, ball security, making plays, blocking for each other and blocking down field for our running backs and whatnot.
CORNERBACK Jamal Robinson
On Texas State:
They're a good team. We're just getting ready and getting prepared for them this week and hopefully put on a good show.
On the team's preseason camp:
It was pretty tough with heat and everything. We had guys fight through it and keep pushing to get ready for the season and all that we want to accomplish this year.
LINEBACKER Matt Nicholson
On his rehabilitation process:
It's a setback. It was about an eight-month process to get back to normal again. It's been a lot of work and it makes you appreciate every play that you're out there.
On how his role has changed with the installation of the 3-4 defense:
I moved to inside linebacker, so that's a little different. I feel more comfortable on the inside anyway so I'm more excited. I'm just excited to get out there and get started playing.
DEFENSIVE END David Hunter
On the new 3-4 defense
I am real comfortable in this defense. We are still a one-gap defense and my responsibilities have not changed.
