April 8, 2005

HOUSTON, Texas - Scrapping the planned scrimmage, the University of Houston football team concluded the third week of spring drills with a two-hour workout on the UH Practice Fields. The Cougars will return to the field next Tuesday and will practice just twice before finishing spring camp with the Red-White Game on Saturday, April 16.

With spring practice winding down, UH head coach Art Briles canceled the scheduled scrimmage in lieu of a lengthy workout, and the third-year mentor is glad he did.

"Of course we had some injuries (earlier in the week), and that is just devastating," commented Briles. "But, at the same time what it does is provide some adversity and with that some opportunity. Now we have some opportunities.

"It gives us an opportunity to be better coaches. It gives our players a better opportunity to work together and become a better team, and that is the way we are approaching it."

As mentioned the Cougars will practice just twice next week-on Tuesday and Thursday-before ending the spring with the annual controlled scrimmage at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium at 1 pm on Saturday.

"It will be a good, solid week for us," added Briles. "We'll have a chance to look a lot at these younger guys and get them ready for the fall."

---www.UHcougars.com---