Tulsa O blows up in loss to Golden Eagle

Tulsa Golden Hurricane 2009 ... Head Coach: Todd Graham

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 7-5
2009 Record: 4-7

9/4 at Tulane W 37-13
9/12 at N Mexico W 44-10
9/19 at Oklahoma L 45-0
9/26 SHSU W 56-3
10/3 at Rice W 27-10
10/10 OPEN DATE
10/14 Boise St L 28-21
10/21 at UTEP L 28-24
10/31 SMU L 27-13
11/7 Houston L 46-45
11/15 E Carolina L 44-17
11/21 at S Miss L 44-34
11/27 Memphis

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 8-4
2008 Record: 11-3

8/30 at UAB W 45-22
9/6 at North Texas W 56-26
9/13 OPEN DATE
9/20 New Mexico W 56-14
9/27 Central Ark. W 62-34
10/4 Rice W 63-28
10/11 at SMU W 37-31
10/18 UTEP W 77-35
10/26 UCF W 49-19
11/1 at Arkansas L 30-23
11/8  OPEN DATE
11/15 at Houston L 70-30
11/22 Tulane W 56-7
11/29 at Marshall W 38-35
C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP
12/5 East Carolina L 27-24
GMAC Bowl
1/6 Ball State W 45-13

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Nov. 21
at Southern Miss 44 …. Tulsa 34
Southern Miss overcame a lightning delay and 589 yards of Tulsa offense highlighted by a 95-yard DeAndre Brown touchdown catch in the third quarter and a 60-yard touchdown catch from Johdrick Morris as part of Martevious Young’s four touchdown passes. Tulsa rolled up yards at will with G.J. Kinne running for a 55-yard score and connecting with Damaris Johnson 17 times. Charles Clay scored four times for the Golden Hurricane including a six-yard catch late in the fourth, but USM held on. Tulsa turned it over three times which helped the Golden Eagles keep pace.
Player of the Game: In a losing cause, Tulsa WR Damaris Johnson caught 17 passes for 196 yards, and he ran two times for 18 yards
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 32-46, 396 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: G.J. Kinne, 19-88, 1 TD, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 17-196
Southern Miss: Passing: Martevious Young, 12-21, 276 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Damion Fletcher, 22-88, Receiving: DeAndre Brown, 3-135, 2 TD
What It All Means: Tulsa got 15 tackles from Andre Watson and 16 from Ronnie Thornton, but the defense didn’t do enough to stop the big play and didn’t hold up when the offense turned it over in bad spots. Tulsa cranked out 589 yards and got a phenomenal day out of Damaris Johnson with 17 catches, but it was still a season-crippling loss. Tulsa gets a layup against Memphis next week to close out the year, and it would’ve been a bowl season had it gotten by USM this week. Now on a six-game losing streak, this has been a huge disappointment for a team that should’ve been in the Conference USA title hunt. 

Nov. 14
East Carolina 44 … at Tulsa 17
In a rematch of last year’s Conference USA championship, East Carolina played well cranking out 517 yards of offense with Dominique Lindsay running for 172 yards and catching a 12-yard touchdown pass, and Darryl Freeney catching a 37-yard scoring play on the way to a 20-0 lead. Tulsa pulled close with Damaris Johnson catching a nine-yard touchdown pass late in the third, but ECU scored 21 unanswered points with Emmanuel Davis and Levin Neal return interceptions for scores with Jay Ross taking a fumble 49 yards for a score.
Player of the Game: East Carolina RB Dominique Lindsay ran 31 times for 172 yards and he caught two passes for 13 yards and a score.
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 23-46, 236 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Willie Carter, 3-20, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 14-135, 1 TD
East Carolina: Passing: Patrick Pinkney, 20-29, 275 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Dominique Lindsay, 31-172, Receiving: Darryl Freeney, 8-152, 1 TD 
What It All Means: Now there’s a problem. On a five-game losing streak, with the defense getting worse and worse by the week, the once promising season now could be a disaster with a loss in one of the final two games. The turnovers have to stop and the pass defense has to come up with something new in a big hurry to beat both Southern Miss and Memphis to get bowl eligible. The offense struggled, too, with little running game and not enough pop from G.J. Kinne to pick up the slack. The offensive line continues to have problems protecting Kinne.

Oct. 7
Houston 46 … at Tulsa 45
Houston’s Matt Hogan nailed a 51-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to cap off an improbable finish. James Cleveland pulled the Cougars to within two on a one-yard run with 21 seconds to play, but Case Keenum was sacked on the two-point conversion attempt. The Cougars recovered the onside kick, Keenum completed two throws for 27 yards to get Hogan into position, and Houston came away with the win. The two teams combined for 1,159 yards of total offense with Tulsa’s Charles Clay scoring four times, two on the ground and two through the air, but it was Keenum who was the big story throwing for 522 yards and three scores. James Cleveland caught all three touchdown passes, and he combined with Patrick Edwards to make 23 catches for 343 yards.
Player of the Game: Houston QB Case Keenum completed 40-of-60 passes for 522 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran six times for 21 yards.
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 19-26, 334 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: G.J. Kinne, 16-100, 1 TD, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 10-144
Houston: Passing: Case Keenum, 40-60, 522 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Bryce Beall, 17-82, Receiving: James Cleveland, 12-167, 3 TD
What It All Means: Everyone’s getting ripped apart by Houston’s offense right now, but Tulsa was able to play a little defense before Case Keenum came into town. G.J. Kinne and the Golden Hurricane offense did its part, rolling up and down the field at will to answer everything Houston tried to do, but it took a few miraculous plays to lose. Not only did Keenum have to go ballistic, but it took a 51-yard field and an onside kick for Houston to pull out the win. Next up is East Carolina followed up by Southern Miss, and Tulsa at least has to split to stay alive for a bowl bid.

Oct. 31
SMU 27 … at Tulsa 13
SMU freshman Kyle Padron threw for 354 yards and made things happen on the move leading the way to touchdown passes from 49 yards out to Cole Beasley and 36 yards to RB Shawnbrey McNealy. The Mustangs were up 20-7 in the fourth quarter, but Tulsa pulled close with a 13-yard Jacob Collums touchdown catch. After failing on a long fourth down attempt, Tulsa allowed SMU to drive for a two-yard Zach Line touchdown run to put the game away.
Player of the Game: SMU QB Kyle Padron completed 20-of-30 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns
Tulsa: Passing: Jacob Bower, 9-22, 206 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jamad Williams, 10-46, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 4-121
SMU: Passing: Kyle Padron, 20-30, 354 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Shawnbrey McNeal, 19-44, Receiving: Aldrick Robinson, 5-104
What It All Means: No, Tulsa isn’t the strong offensive juggernaut of previous seasons, but it’s not that bad. After losing late to UTEP and coming up with a lifeless performance in a loss to SMU, the Conference USA title is gone and with Houston and East Carolina up next, a bowl game is in jeopardy. The offense has to do a better job of moving the chains and it’s time to start executing better. The team is better than it’s playing, and this has to be seen as a low point in what’s suddenly turning into a tremendously disappointing season.

Oct. 21
at UTEP 28 … Tulsa 24
UTEP’s Donald Buckram ran for two touchdowns in the final 6:25 including a three-yarder with just 29 seconds to play for the win. Down 13-0, Tulsa came back with a 24-point run helped by one-yard touchdown runs from G.J. Kinne and Charles Clay, and a 19-yard A.J. Whitmore touchdown run, but that Miners owned the fourth quarter. UTEP’s Trevor VIttatoe connected with Donavon Kemp on an 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter and hit Tufick Shadrawy for a key two-point conversion after Buckram’s eight-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
Player of the Game: UTEP RB Donald Buckram ran 26 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 11-23, 192 yds
Rushing: Charles Clay, 16-84, 1 TD, Receiving: Slick Shelley, 5-98
UTEP: Passing: Trevor Vittatoe, 17-38, 271 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Donald Buckram, 26-125, 2 TD, Receiving: Jeff Moturi, 4-37 
What It All Means: The Golden Hurricane never looked right. The offense took a while to get going and couldn’t close late, while the run defense was stunningly bad when it had to be strong. This wasn’t devastating for Conference USA title hopes, but now the team needs to win out and needs some help. While Houston and East Carolina are coming up in the next three weeks, both games are at home as Tulsa has to take advantage of a three-game homestand. But to win, the offense has to be more consistent than it’s been over the last few games.

Oct. 14
Boise State 28 ... at Tulsa 21
Boise State got three Kellen Moore touchdown passes and went on a 20-point run starting with a 17-yard Austin Pettis touchdown catch in the second quarter, but Tulsa didn't go away. The Golden Hurricane started off the scoring with a 53-yard Damaris Johnson touchdown pass from A.J. Whitimore on a trick play, but got steamrolled over by Doug Martin and the Boise State running game. But a 55-yard touchdown catch from Slick Shelley gave Tulsa new life in the fourth quarter. Down seven, QB G.J. Kinne misfired and bounced a pass to a wide open Charles Clay on fourth down, and the Broncos hung on.
Player of the Game: Boise State RB Doug Martin ran 23 times for 112 yards.
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 14-27, 154 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Damaris Johnson, 4-41, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 4-59, 1 TD
Boise State: Passing: Kellen Moore,  22-32, 187 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Doug Martin, 23-112, Receiving: Titus Young, 5-31
What It All Means: G.J. Kinne didn't set his feet, bounced a pass to a wide open Charles Clay, and Tulsa lost out on a chance to pull off the upset. But the real problem was how the Boise State offensive line dominated the Tulsa defensive front, and while DeAundre Brown (18 tackles) and James Lockett (11 tackles) did their best to hold up, they had to make too many stops down the field. There isn't anyone else on the schedule who can run like Boise State. The offense needs to be more consistent and Kinne has to be better on his midrange to deep passes, but give the team credit for staying alive when it should've been blown out when defense was getting pushed around. 

Oct. 3
Tulsa 27 … at Rice 10
Rice took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter highlighted by a 29-yard Taylor Wardlow touchdown catch, and then it was all Tulsa the rest of the way. G.J. Kinne ran for a six-yard score, A.J. Whitmore caught a 39-yard scoring pass, and Kevin Fitzpatrick hit two field goals as the Golden Hurricane scored 20 unanswered points and was never threatened in the second half. Rice gained just 191 yards of total offense.
Player of the Game: Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne completed 21-of-32 passes for 251 yard and a score, and he ran for seven yards and a touchdown.
Rice: Passing: Ryan Lewis, 12-32, 99 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Charles Ross, 13-33, Receiving: Patrick Randolph, 4-19
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 21-32, 251 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jamad Williams, 14-72, 1 TD, Receiving: Damaris Johnson 7-85
What It All Means: Tulsa might not be putting up the huge offensive numbers of years past, but the defense is picking up the slack. The Golden Hurricane D has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season and was able to shut down Rice cold. The Owls gained just 47 yards on the ground and were harassed all game long when trying to get the passing game working. Now comes the big test. If Oklahoma was way out of Tulsa’s league, then it’ll be interesting to see what will happen against Boise State. The Tulsa D will have to take things to another level. 

Sept. 26
at Tulsa 56 … Sam Houston State 3
Tulsa rolled at will as G.J. Kinne threw four touchdown passes including two to Trae Johnson from 34 and 16 yards away in the second quarter and a 63-yarder to Damaris Johnson in the first. The running game kicked in the second half with third quarter touchdown runs from A.J. Whitmore, Jacob Bower, and a 39-yarder from Willie Carter. SHSU only managed a 25-yard field goal in the first.
Player of the Game: Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne completed 12-of-15 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns, and he ran five times for 58 yards.
Sam Houston State: Passing: Blake Joseph, 7-18, 87 yds
Rushing: James Aston, 14-59, Receiving: Chris Lucas, 2-22
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 12-15, 264 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: G.J. Kinne, 5-58, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 3-103, 1 TD
What It All Means: After getting blanked by Oklahoma, Tulsa was able to get its groove on against an overmatched Sam Houston State with G.J. Kinne taking target practice in preparation for the Conference USA slate. Already 1-0, Tulsa can’t give away a conference road game against a bad Rice team, even though all eyes might be on the nationally televised showcase against Boise State to follow. The offense is going to roll against the mediocre teams, but the O line has to be better. It wasn’t bad against SHSU, but the pass protection has to be tighter next week before facing the Broncos.

Sept. 19
at Oklahoma 45 … Tulsa 0
Landry Jones set a school-record with six touchdown passes including two to Brandon Caleb in the first half from seven and 63 yards out, and he worked with Ryan Broyles on the final three scores of the game with scoring passes from ten, 14, and 35 yards out. Tulsa managed just 269 yards of total offense and was never threatened against an OU defense that registered six sacks. OU LB Ryan Reynolds made 13 tackles with two sacks.
Player of the Game: Oklahoma QB Landry Jones completed 25-of-37 passes for 336 yards and six touchdowns
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 12-26, 106 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Jamad Williams, 9-39, Receiving: Trae Johnson, 4-50
Oklahoma: Passing: Landry Jones, 25-37, 336 yds, 6 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Chris Brown, 16-73, Receiving: Ryan Broyles, 11-128, 3 TD 
What It All Means: Tulsa wasn’t going to beat Oklahoma without a miracle, but it also needed to be nearly perfect to be competitive. The offense has to show it can keep up the pace with the better teams, because there will be a few shootouts coming quickly in Conference USA play. The secondary struggled because the defensive front didn’t generate any pressure. The ground game only came up with 116 yards and the passing game was shut down thanks to a lack of time for QB G.J. Kinne. Oklahoma came up with six sacks, and there could’ve been several more had Kinne not gotten rid of the ball as quickly as he did a times.

Sept. 12
Tulsa 44 ... at New Mexico 10
Tulsa used New Mexico mistakes to get up early with a 17-3 halftime lead, and then rolled in the second half with a 30-3 lead broken up by a 92-yard Tray Hardaway fumble return for a UNM touchdown. G.J. Kinne threw four touchdown passes including two to Slick Shelley from 17 and 25 yards out. The Lobos only managed six first downs and 171 total yards.
Player of the Game: Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne completed 22-of-35 passes for 310 yards and four scores, and he ran 13 times for 53 yards.
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 22-35, 310 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: G.J. Kinne, 13-53, Receiving: Damaris Johnson, 4-101
New Mexico: Passing: Donovan Porterie, 12-22, 85 yds
Rushing: Demond Dennis, 9-22, Receiving: Nick Wilhelm, 3-33
What It All Means: G.J. Kinne is the best quarterback option. Jacob Bower is a nice option who can step in and produce if needed, but Kinne is more dangerous and he did a great job of getting the ball in places where his receivers could do something. Shockingly, the defense has been fantastic over the first two weeks, and while Tulane and New Mexico can't play, the first two weeks were confidence builders before dealing with Oklahoma.

 Sept. 4
Tulsa 37 … at Tulane 13
The Tulsa defense swarmed over Tulane, holding the Green Wave to 39 rushing yards, and came up with a key third quarter goal line stand to hold off a potential run. Kevin Fitzpatrick hit three field goals and G.J. Kinne ran for a 15-yard score on the way to a 23-3 lead before Tulane struck with a 20-yard catch and a dive for a score from Casey Robottom, but Tulsa answered, and put the game away, with a 66-yard punt return for a score from Damaris Johnson.
Player of the Game: Tulsa LB Mike Bryan made 11 tackles, five tackles for loss, forced a fumble, and came up with an interception.
Tulsa: Passing: G.J. Kinne, 15-20, 211 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: G.J. Kinne, 13-77, 1 TD, Receiving: Slick Shelley, 5-68
Tulane: Passing: Joe Kemp, 16-26, 278 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Andre Anderson, 19-49, Receiving: Casey Robottom, 6-82, 1 TD
What It All Means: Tulsa obviously wanted to work on getting into the backfield this offseason, and it was fantastic against Tulane. The Golden Hurricane front seven came from all angles forcing mistakes after mistake that never let the game get close. The offense was fine with G.J. Kinne running well at quarterback, but it needs to be a bit more consistent. There’s no arguing with the balance with 211 passing yards and 201 on the ground, and this year, unlike the last few seasons, the O might not have to take too many chances. The D, if this game was any indication, might pull its weight.