Quote:Final Day of Preseason Camp Is Officially Tomorrow 

Aug. 20, 2005

HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Houston football team returned to the practice fields after a much-needed day off, and the Cougars worked out for almost two hours under sunny, humid skies this afternoon. Later, the Cougars mingled with several hundred fans at the annual Cougar Fan Fest indoors.

Houston is just 12 days from opening the 2005 season, when the University of Oregon invades Reliant Stadium on September 1, for a 6 pm kickoff on ESPN2. UH head coach Art Briles believes his squad welcomes the Southeast Texas conditions.

"We had to fight through the heat a bit," said Briles, who is entering his third season as the Cougar head coach. "Of course, we had a pretty full day, and we lifted in the morning (then) had a walk-through workout this morning. Then, we came out and kind of battled through the heat.

"So, we are looking at (the weather) as an advantage. It is an advantage for us to get in shape and getting us ready for 12 days from now."

With the days whittling down until the season opener, Briles and his staff have been focusing a lot on the little things, including personnel, packages and special teams. The Cougars are looking for a new kicker, holder and snapper with the loss to graduation of three seniors, Dustin Bell, J.J. Wyatt and Thomas Gafford, so Briles knows this area needs to be looked at carefully.

"We have been finalizing personnel," added Briles, "finalizing player packages on both sides of the ball, and shoring up the special teams, especially the kicking game. We're making sure everyone is set in that aspect of it.

"You know, it's time to cut loose, have fun and play ball."

The Cougars will return to the practice fields tomorrow for the final time of fall camp, as fall classes begin on Monday, August 21. Sunday's practice is slated for 3 pm.

I didn't make it to the fanfest. I was busy eating BBQ with Ghis :hungry:. I have heard it was a fun time.