Tulsa
TCU
Tulsa Falls To TCU 17 - 3 At Home
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 21, 2000
By OWEN CANFIELD
AP Sports Writer
TULSA, Okla. - LaDainian Tomlinson's shot at the Heisman Trophy might have taken a hit Saturday night. Texas Christian's perfect season did not.
The 11th-ranked Horned Frogs made four interceptions, including two that set up quick second-half touchdowns, in a rainy 17-3 victory over Tulsa.
Tomlinson, the nation's leading rusher with 194.8 yards per game, was expected to feast against a defense that gave up 450 rushing yards to New Mexico State last week.
He wound up with 119 yards on 27 carries, his lowest total of the season, and the Horned Frogs had to work to get their 11th straight victory and improve to 6-0 for the first time since 1938.
"I've coached teams that went out and went undefeated and I hope this team's capable of doing that," coach Dennis Franchione said. "When you do that, there are going to be times when you win ugly."
Tomlinson broke off a few long runs, but otherwise was held in check by a defense ranked fifth-worst nationally against the run.
"I said to you guys all along that there would be games like this," Tomlinson said. "I don't go out to win the Heisman Trophy. I go out to win games."
Tulsa's defense held its own on the wet field, but the offense did not, despite being the first team this season to outgain the Horned Frogs.
Josh Blankenship threw three interceptions, once in the end zone in the first half and deep in TCU territory in the final two minutes as the Hurricane tried to rally.
"In a game like this, you have to protect the football and when the opportunity comes you have to strike," Tulsa coach Keith Burns said.
In the third quarter, Blankenship overthrew his intended receiver and cornerback Bo Springfield made a diving catch to give the Horned Frogs the ball at the Tulsa 47.
Casey Printers followed with three completions, including a 21-yarder to Tim Maiden for the touchdown with 1:47 left.
Tulsa tried a wide-receiver pass on its next possession, but Kenneth Hilliard intercepted and returned it 36 yards to the 14. Two plays later, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Tomlinson scored on a 1-yard run for the 17-3 lead.
"Tonight, when they had to make the plays, they did," Burns said. "This one will keep me up tonight."
Printers was 7-of-12 passing for 62 yards without an interception, and he gained a career-high 87 yards on 14 carries.
"They came out and played an exceptional game, especially on the defensive side of the ball," Printers said. "They took L.T. every play, so I ran upfield."
The Horned Frogs took a 3-0 lead on a 42-yard field goal by Chris Kaylakie in the first quarter, but sputtered on their five other first-half drives. A 25-yard keeper by Printers seemed to spark them late in the half, but he fumbled two plays later to end the drive.
The fumble recovery gave Tulsa the ball at its 40 with 1:37 left and the Hurricane drove to the 13 to set up a 30-yard field goal by Chris Earnest. On its previous possession, Tulsa had moved to the 1 before a procedure penalty stalled the drive and LaVar Veale's interception ended it.
Tomlinson has 1,093 yards this season and is the first TCU player with two 1,000-yard seasons. He ran for 1,850 last year.
