Horned Frogs begin work in Houston
12/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 24, 2007
HOUSTON -- In preparation for Friday's Texas Bowl, the TCU football team practiced for the first time in Houston on Monday.
The Horned Frogs are making their ninth bowl appearance in the last 10 seasons. A win over Houston would give TCU three consecutive bowl wins for the first time since the opening three bowl games (1936-39) in its history.
Included below are post-practice comments from Horned Frog head coach Gary Patterson, quarterback Andy Dalton and defensive end Chase Ortiz.
TCU head coach Gary Patterson
On the opportunity to play the University of Houston ...
"We're very excited. We were 4-4 at one time in the middle of the year. It wasn't the kind of season we expected, but the kids really fought back to have an opportunity to be here playing a very explosive Houston team. It's another example of heading into next year. You want to win a bowl game to push yourself into next season. We're a very young football team with almost 45-to-50 redshirt freshmen and true freshmen, so there's a lot of good things in front of us."
On motivating his team ...
"I think both teams, for different reasons, will be very motivated. We haven't played each other in a while, and I always thought they were great games when we did. It's going to be exciting to play at Reliant Stadium. We've played there before, and our kids loved it. It's an outstanding venue. I hope the rain holds off so we can put the roof down and everyone can have a great time."
On how much time his team has had off ...
"We only took off two or three days. We don't have a chance to practice during finals, so last week we were able to get back on the field. We went six practices in seven days. Our kids understand that we're going to have a lot of fun here. That's the way we always do bowl games, but when we work, we work. We're not here for any other reason than to win a game."
On the end of the season ...
"The thing I liked was that we gained a lot more confidence offensively. Defensively, we played well all year. We went into the Texas game with our fourth and fifth tailbacks. Not many people in the country can do that and have a chance to win. When our tailbacks have been healthy, we have had some explosions offensively."
On the head-to-head series history versus Houston ...
"Every game is different. Since we last played, they've won a Conference USA championship and we've won a Mountain West championship. It's a measuring stick to see how both programs have done and where we're at."
TCU quarterback Andy Dalton
On if he expected to have a chance to start as a redshirt freshman ...
"With Jeff Ballard being a senior last year, I knew there was going to be an opportunity for me to compete for the job. That was one of the things that brought me to TCU."
On TCU's ability to be consistently successful over the years ...
"It's exciting. We've been able to produce some pretty good teams, and we're just trying to continue the tradition."
On if he attended his alma mater's (Katy High School) state championship game victory Saturday ...
"I was there and it was exciting. They played great."
TCU defensive end Chase Ortiz
On playing a bowl game in his hometown area ...
"It's definitely nice to come back. I played here a couple of years ago in the Houston Bowl, and it was a lot of fun. It's just great to finish out my senior year where my whole family can watch me one last time. I have a bunch of people coming to this game, so I'm pretty excited."
On if it's a distraction being so close to his family ...
"No. I told them to leave me alone. I've got to practice and stuff like that. It's just nice to have a few family back here to watch you in your last game your senior year."
On if he ever envisioned being so successful when he first came to TCU ...
"I came here to be on a successful defense and be the best player I could, but I had no clue it would turn out like this. I'm very happy at how it's all worked out."
On TCU's winning tradition ...
"I think we've done a really good job over the past few years of being the best we can. We work extremely hard every season to get where we're at. The past few years have really worked out for us through all the hard work."
On being better than a 7-5 record indicates ...
"I definitely think we gave a couple away. Every year we talk about finishing the game. The past couple of years, we've won a bunch by three points or a touchdown here and there. This year, we lost some games by a touchdown or a field goal."
