Nov. 1, 2005
ORLANDO - UCF head coach George O'Leary met the Orlando media Tuesday to discuss the Golden Knights' win at East Carolina and this week's Conference USA game vs. Houston.
Opening Statement:"We came out of the game (against East Carolina) healthy. I think obviously it was a road conference win that wasn't pretty. I thought we played well early and then had a lull where we had too many three-and-outs on offense. I think there were six different times where we held the ball less than six minutes. I don't think we have a defense that can handle that yet. I think that caught up with us a little bit in the second half.
I was proud of the team with the way they came back and hung in there in the fourth quarter. They had the opportunities to make some plays and they made them and came away with a good conference win.
On Houston:"I think they are a very talented football team. They spread it out a lot on offense and have some playmakers on offense. Defensively, they have had people move the ball a little bit on them. Their offense basically controls a lot of possession time as far as what goes on in the game. We will have our work cut out for us this week. This is the last home game for us, so hopefully we can come out and play well and do the things we need to do to win the game."
On teaching mental toughness:"I think a lot of it is because of the way we practice. We practice hard and if it is a bad play, we are going to repeat the bad play. I don't let too many things go away without correcting them. I think a lot of it comes with a little confidence. They (the players) know certain things that they do right can be positive plays.
I think where the team has improved in my opinion, both offensively and defensively, is last year when a mistake was made, they would look around at each other to see who made the mistake. Now there is a play broken, whether it is in coverage or a missed assignment on offense, they pretty much know who missed the assignment, which is sign of growing up. Peer pressure starts to take over. I think you get better with the peer pressure. That is where trust comes from and I think this team has a lot of trust that their fellow players are going to do their job and that the coaches are going to put them in the right position to make a play."
On the importance of the Houston game, especially for the seniors: "I am sure the players will tell you that I am always preaching that it is the most important game because it is the next game. It is a conference game and it is a cross-over conference game. I have said it in the past that you are only as good as your senior class. I don't mean in terms of wins and losses as much as direction and attitude. I think this senior class collectively has done a good job of keeping the chemistry of the team together. I am happy seeing them going out somewhat winners in their last year because they have paid their dues. I think it is a big game. I hope people come out because the seniors deserve that. It is a big game because it keeps you in the hunt. I am happy for the kids. I just hope they have the chance to win the sixth game at home."
On how winning on the road can separate the good teams from the average teams:"Usually what separates good teams from better teams are good players. I think the teams that separate on the road have leadership. Saturday (at East Carolina) could have gone the other way real quick. When you look at the history of college football, you look at teams that go away and jump on someone real quick and then the other team comes back and goes ahead, you don't usually catch them.
I thought the kids went in there and made some plays where we had to make them and stopped them where we had to stop them. It shows grit and is a good character builder. You don't want to see people go ahead of you, but you have a chance to come from behind and that shows some growth as far as getting better."
On the Houston offense:"They substitute a lot of different players on the field and they run the no huddle. You have to match up with what they have and then you are running guys out late yourself. It is a mental gymnastics game as far as what is going on.
It is really like a run and shoot offense. They run power. They option. They run reads. They run everything. I think what they have done is that they have kept a lot of teams off balance. You don't have match-ups because they do a good job of running guys on and off that you don't have a chance to get people back on the field. I think we have to be quick mentally on defense and just play our positions and responsibilities."