|
RB
Tarrion Adams |
|
|
2007
Statistics |
Coach:
Todd Graham
10-4,
1 year |
2007
Record: 10-4 |
|
at
Louisiana-Monroe |
WON
35-17 |
BRIGHAM
YOUNG |
WON
55-47 |
OKLAHOMA |
LOST
21-62 |
UAB |
WON
38-30 |
at
UTEP |
LOST
47-48 |
MARSHALL |
WON
38-31 |
at
UCF |
LOST
23-44 |
SMU |
WON
29-23 |
at
Tulane |
WON
49-25 |
HOUSTON |
WON
56-7 |
at
Army |
WON
49-39 |
at
Rice |
WON
48-43 |
C-USA
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
at
UCF |
LOST
25-44 |
GMAC
BOWL |
Bowling
Green |
WON
63-7 |
|
2007
Final Rankings
AP-36, Coaches-36, BCS-UR
|
2008
Outlook |
Who’d
have thunk it…after the
guy who arguably invented much
of the modern spread attack
– ex head coach Steve
Kragthorpe – left Tulsa
in ballyhooed success for a
BCS level school, that it would
then be a defensive specialist
replacing him and setting offensive
records galore (nine team and
12 individual marks set in 2007).
Todd Graham came back to take
the reigns after spending three
years here (2003-05) as DC,
but he had left in 2006 to take
his first head coaching job
at Rice. Graham quickly proved
he was the right guy by coming
home to tie the school’s
win record (10), the most wins
since 1991.
Which
numbers are most intimidating
from the nation’s No.1
total offense of 2007: ex-QB
Paul Smith and RB Tarrion Adams
setting the all-time FBS mark
for combined yardage by a QB-RB
pair (6,290 beats Klingler and
Weatherspoon’s 6,237 in
1990 for Houston, who are subsequently
the only other members of the
5,000-1,000 club), or the trio
of Trae Johnson, Brennan Marion,
and Charles Clay becoming just
the third set of 1,000-yard
receivers to come from one school?
The keys to getting things to
the “next level”
have been co-coordinators Gus
Malzahn and Herb Hand combining
Arkansas’s and West Virginia’
approaches with the no-huddle
spread already in place here;
that is where each came from,
respectively, prior to becoming
the Golden Hurricane brain-trust.
Expect more of the same from
the offense.
But
if you let in nearly as many
yards and/or points as you earn,
it limits how special the campaign
can become. The two Central
Florida losses and the 48-47
heartbreaker against UTEP show
that a bit more defense might
go a long way toward getting
Tulsa into the top 25. All that
has to happen is for the new
LBs to settle in…in the
3-3-5, the corps can get help
from the extra DB(s). This defense
should improve, but by how much
remains the biggest factor in
defining the 2008 season.
A
team like this is rarely a favorite,
for the Golden Hurricane’s
defensive volatility makes their
final weekly outcomes uncertain
(but pursuing the “over”
seems like a safe call). The
slate of foes isn’t impressive,
but the parity and competitive
nature of the conference has
lots of teams feeling their
chances versus Tulsa are good.
Five of Tulsa’s 2007 league
opponents were within a single
score of either winning or tying
their respective games at the
end.
Tulsa
is college football at its best
– a great group of underdog
athletes coming together to
prove teamwork goes farther
than individual talent levels.
Not bad for a school with barely
2,800 undergrad (4,100 total)
and third-tier in-state status.
Light that fire, Captain ‘Cane!
Projected
2008 record: 9-3
|
|
|
DB
Roy Roberts |
TULSA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 2 |
WR
- 4.5 |
DB
- 2.5 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
TULSA
2007 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
41 |
6 |
Passing: |
3 |
1 |
Total
Off: |
1 |
1 |
Sacks
Allow: |
73 |
8 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
90 |
6 |
Passing: |
108 |
7 |
Total
Def: |
108 |
8 |
Sacks: |
59 |
4 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
David Johnson, 4-8-0, 56 yds.,
0 TD
Rushing: Tarrion Adams,
202 att., 1113 yds., 7 TD
Receiving: Trae Johnson,
67 rec., 1039 yds., 11 TD
Scoring: Jarod Tracy,
7-12 FG, 64-67 PAT, 85 pts.
Punting: Michael Such,
39 punts, 38.9 avg.
Kicking: Jarod Tracy, 7-12
FG, 64-67 PAT, 85 pts.
Tackles: Charles Davis,
69 tot., 52 solo
Sacks: Moton Hopkins,
3 sacks
Interceptions: Roy Roberts,
3 for 69 yds., 1 TD
Kickoff Returns: Roy
Roberts, 19 ret., 24.3 avg.,
1 TD
Punt Returns: Trae Johnson,
11 ret., 9.9 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 9 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Paul Smith-QB, Cody Madison-FB,
Kyle Grooms-WR, Cameron Clemons-WR,
Walter Boyd-OT, Wade Whitlow-OT |
DEFENSE:
Brandon
Jones-NG, Alain Karatepeyan-SLB,
Nelson Coleman-MLB, Chris Chamberlain-WLB,
Steve Craver-BAN, Anthony Germany-SPUR,
Randy Duncan-FS |
|
|
2008
OFFENSE |
This
offense will remain just as balanced
under quarterback David Johnson’s
leadership. A senior who has to hit
the ground running, Johnson has shown
great promise and leadership in his
few opportunities. It’s really
too bad he only has one year to develop
into this unique scheme. Clark Harrell,
the brother of Texas Tech’s
Graham, transferred recently to get
more immediate playing time (FCS or
Division II likely). This opens the
door for Jacob Bower to really get
a look. First a missionary (LDS) from
2004-06 and then a redshirt at BYU
prior to playing well at Bakersfield
C.C., Bower looks like a good fit
once he learns the nuances. A learning
year could quickly turn into trial-by-fire
for the Meridian (ID) native, but
he has the wheels Harrell didn’t.
The
backfield uses its H-Back as a pure
fullback quite often, and Charles
Clay is a weapon in many ways. He
was second on the team in receptions
and third in rushing yards –
a true “west coast” use
of the position. Courtney Tennial
is back after leading the team in
rushing in 2006 but then tragically
tearing his Achilles tendon last August.
That meant nothing production-wise
in ’07, and now a sophomore
(Clay) is in Tennial’s way in
this, his senior year. For the team,
it’s a good problem. Guys like
Tennial and Bower allow RB Tarrion
Adams to flank out into the slot or
outside receiver position. Ex-DB Williams
is a good runner but has to prove
more for the multi-purpose role Tulsa
backs must fill. And speaking of multi-purpose,
A.J. Whitmore was the wideout du jour
as a ball carrier, garnering 26 carries
and earning a 10-ypc average without
ever losing a yard. Whitmore was too
good not to field as a true frosh,
so expect more on the receiving front
from him.
What
can you say about C-USA Newcomer of
the Year Brennan Marion (first played
H-Back in junior college)? Only two
other guys made the NCAA FBS national
receiving yards per game rankings
with enough catches to have their
impressive 20+ yards per catch averages
officially rank them…Marion’s
31.9 yards per his 39 catches set
the all-time NCAA mark for a season
and should shout to opposing defensive
coordinators that he will be going
deep early, often and without shame.
There’s nothing corporate about
the Johnson & Johnson connection
soon to be established. Trae was the
top GH snarler as a mere true freshman,
so just imagine what this All-conference
receiver will do now. The explosive
Dion Toliver seems to get lost in
the shuffle of talent, but his five
starts are something to build upon
for his senior year. Meyer also seems
buried in the pecking order…how
doesn’t finishing tied for third
on the team in receptions (34) not
get him more media recognition? The
first four-star recruit in the last
five years, Damaris Johnson, will
probably find reps, too, but we can
see him red-shirting with so many
guys vying for time.
Almost
the entire line is made of returning
starters, and all juniors at that.
Tyler Holmes is the newbie at left
tackle, but think of how good he must
be if Rodrick Thomas won’t have
to switch sides. This is an athletic
group that knows how to move accordingly
to optimize play fakes and lateral
play development. Heaping even more
superlatives on this dangerous offense
seems redundant. Everything is in
place for the Golden Hurricane offensive
engine to keep running at its high
level(s) of performance.
|
|
WR
Brennan Marion
|
|
|
TULSA
2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
David
Johnson-Sr (6-3, 217) |
Clark
Harrell-So (6-4, 197) |
FB |
Charles
Clay-So (6-3, 222) (HB) |
Courtney
Tennial-Sr (5-10, 235) |
RB |
Tarrion
Adams-Sr (6-1, 210) |
Jamad
Williams-So (5-9, 198) |
WR |
Brennan
Marion-Sr (6-1, 185) |
Trae
Johnson-So (5-11, 170) |
WR |
AJ
Whitmore-So (5-9, 170) |
Dion
Toliver-Sr (5-11, 170) |
TE |
Jake
Collums-Jr (6-4, 244) |
Jesse
Meyer-Jr (6-4, 201) (WR) |
OT |
Tyler
Holmes-Fr (6-4, 305) |
Brandon
Thomas-Fr (6-5, 270) |
OG |
Curt
Puckett-Jr (6-4, 308) |
Aaron
Ringle-Fr (6-4, 250) |
C |
Jody
Whaley-Jr (6-3, 311) |
Nick
Gates-So (6-2, 270) |
OG |
Justin
Morsey-Jr (6-2, 296) |
Shawn
Santos-So (6-3, 304) |
OT |
Rodrick
Thomas-Jr (6-5, 354) |
Travis
Wike-Jr (6-4, 305) |
K |
Jarod
Tracy-Sr (6-0, 165) |
Matthew
Hulse-Fr (5-11, 192) |
|
|
2008
DEFENSE |
It
wasn’t the same smooth transition
on this side of the ball. There are
co-coordinators – second-year
guy Paul Randolph, who also oversees
the DL, and Keith Patterson, a sixth-year
assistant and third-year DC who also
guides the DB assistant – and
many talented players. Yet there were
over 150 more yards and 13 more points
allowed per game from 2006’s
averages. Much blame can be heaped
on headman Todd Graham switching back
to the 3-3-5 seen here while he was
the coordinator from 2003-05. That’s
why Randolph was brought in with Graham
when Graham came back from his one-year
head coaching stint at Rice, where
Randolph was his DC. But it didn’t
dovetail as planned, and this year
looks like another rough one in the
offensive minded Conference USA.
In
an alignment like this, it all starts
up front; if the three linemen can’t
achieve their basic group function
of taking up as many hats as possible,
then the domino affect on the rest
of the stopping efforts will be felt.
Every foe but bowl opponent Bowling
Green went over the 100-yard mark
for team rushing, with five going
over 200 and all at a combined 4.6
ypc rate. Coach Randolph has his work
well proportioned. Nemons and Garrison
both out-worked departed 2007 DT starter
Brandon Jones. Nemons and fellow senior
Moton Hopkins have the size and proven
results to have the line function
at its needed level. Ex-WR (hence
his wearing of the No.80) Odrick Ray
looks like an improvement at end,
and the outside depth has just as
much promise.
It’s
strongside linebacker George Clinkscale
who can bump down into a three-point
stance after he started at end for
much of 2007. He’s the closest
thing to an incumbent, which tells
you of Tulsa’s lack of experience.
Three new LBs is always an adjustment.
Bryan has some experience, too, and
looks good to be a keeper in the middle.
Antle, like Bryan, just needs to put
a few pounds on his frame to become
the best he can be. Injuries to these
three would definitely keep the defense
from blossoming.
The
five DBs are made of three pseudo-safeties
and two pure corners. Roberts, the
“Bandit” (or permanent
nickel back, if you will), is the
best of the coverage guys. Kenny D.
Sims (not the LB, but the corner)
has to improve his coverage skills.
If either he or Destin can become
an isolation type, this defense can
possibly stop passes from being caught
rather than almost always chasing
opposing receivers from behind and
halting their YAC. Quality JUCO product
Kollin Hancock should bump one of
these two out of their starting spot(s)
by October. Davis is also great in
coverage. Adé Manga is but
another who will help immediately
due to his junior college experience.
The odds of the entire defense being
jump-started by these new upperclassmen
are good. The turnover should actually
prove just what the doctor ordered.
|
|
DE
Moton Hopkins
|
|
|
TULSA
2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Odrick
Ray-So (6-3, 241) |
Tyler
Scarbrough-So (6-3, 268) |
NG |
Terrel
Nemons-Sr (6-4, 337) |
Wilson
Garrison-Jr (6-3, 276) |
DE |
Moton
Hopkins-Sr (6-3, 270) |
Rashad
Robinson-Fr (6-1, 230) |
SLB |
George
Clinkscale-Jr (6-0, 251) |
Kaipo
Sarkissian-Jr (6-1, 230) |
MLB |
Mike
Bryan-Jr (6-3, 216) |
Kenny
R. Sims-So (6-0, 221) |
WLB |
Tanner
Antle-So (6-4, 210) |
Curnelius
Arnick-Fr (6-1, 221) |
BAN |
Roy
Roberts-Sr (5-11, 205) |
Ty
Page-Sr (6-2, 226) |
CB |
John
Destin-Jr (6-0, 185) |
Nick
Henderson-Sr (6-0, 177) |
CB |
Kenny
D. Sims-Jr (5-11, 201) |
Josh
Walker-Jr (5-10, 185) |
SPUR |
Ade'
Manga-Jr (6-2, 210) |
Donald
Gobert-So (6-3, 192) |
FS |
Charles
Davis-Jr (5-9, 170) |
Genesis
Cole-Fr (6-1, 184) |
P |
Michael
Such-So (6-2, 205) |
Paul
Jurado-Sr (6-1, 206) |
|
|
|
2008
SPECIAL TEAMS |
A
good barometer for the defensive improvements
are the net punting results of Mike Such.
And Such is the kind of controlled kicker
who needs the team’s speed to do its
job. Only 39 punts, along with only 12 field
goals tries, shows how Tulsa’s efficient
offense limits their kicking needs. Trae
Johnson, Roy Roberts and Charles Davis will
continue to do their job(s) divvying up
the returns.
|
|