Houston Head Coach Art Briles Quotes

Houston head coach Art Briles speaks about the Rice loss and upcoming game at Oklahoma:

Houston Head Coach Art Briles
On the Rice loss
"We're extremely disappointed, frustrated and embarrased, but it's our job to be resilient and bounce back. And that's what we'll do. So that part is over with."

On the Oklahoma game this week
"We have a great opportunity this week in going to OU. They are without a doubt one of the top, if not the top, Division I programs in the nation over the past five years, and it's a great opportunity for us. It's a great challenge for us, but it's also a chance for us to show our resiliency, our manhood and our competitive nature. That's the thing; I'm ready to get back on the field, get our guys back in focus, and then get in gear. It's going to be a great environment, a great atmosphere for us to showcase the University of Houston to the nation."

OU Coach & Player Quotes | Sooner Gameday Central

Does the loss to Rice change the team's mindset heading into the Oklahoma game, as far as more pressure to show what Houston is made of?
"You have to show what you're made of every week. This is an opportunity for us to go up against one of the best teams in the nation and to see where we stack up right now. It's not an easy task, as what has beren evident by the last five years with those who have played them (Oklahoma). But it's one challenge that is in front of us. And we're going to go up there and handle it as champions, and as competitors."

Are you considering any personnel changes in the offensive line, or is it going to be worked out on the field?
"No, not really. Thos guys battled hard. We knew that we had three offensive line changes going into the game. We knew that there might be an issue or two. We have complete confidence in the guys that are out there, and they will continue to get better. You can't get better just watching. So we're going to get them out there and keep letting them play. I think we'll see steady improvement throughout the season."

Was there anything in particular that you surprised you - was it your execution, was it Rice or was it a combination?
"Against OU, that's what we're going to try to really get out there and establish something from an offensive standpoint. Hopefully we continue to play good defense like we did last week (against Rice), and shore up any problems we have in the kicking game. That's our main focus right now and going into this week."

Practice Report (UHcougars.com)
The University of Houston football teams returned to the practice field Tuesday afternoon after a disappointing loss to crosstown rival Rice last weekend.

Working out for more than two hours in shorts and shoulder pads at the UH Athletics Complex, the Cougars rebounded with a solid effort. With a game against No. 2 Oklahoma looming this weekend, second-year head coach Art Briles said he expected no less from his team

"We don't have a choice about how we have to respond," Briles said. "We have to respond with a workman-like effort and a purposeful attitude and the discipline and the desire to get better."

The Cougars travel north to Norman, Okla., to face the Sooners at 6 p.m., Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game can be heard live on Star 790 KBME-AM. Tom Frankin handles play-by-play duties, while Tony Fitzpatrick will provide color analysis. Chuck Brown will serve as the roving sideline reporter.

The pregame show begins 45 minutes prior to kickoff. All Cougar football games can be heard live on the Internet by logging onto the UH Athletics web site at www.UHCougars.com.

In addition, Saturday's game will be nationally broadcast by TBS. Ron Thulin will call the action with Charles Davis providing analysis. Veteran TBS reporter Craig Sager will handle the sidelines.

For the first time in school history, the Cougars opened their season on a Sunday. After suffering a 10-7 loss to the Owls at Reliant Stadium, Briles, his players and coaches now must make up for a day of practice with the Sooners on the horizon.

"It speeds up the process," Briles said about losing a day of practice. "We had to turn Monday into a Sunday-Monday. We have been doubling our workload to get ready."

While the pundits would say the Cougars have little chance against Oklahoma, Briles said he and his coaching staff would prepare for OU as they would against any opponent.

"We're going to go into every game expecting to win," Briles said. "It's no different than any game last year or the game last week. We're not playing not to win; we're playing every game to win. Every time we go into a game, we expect to win."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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