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Tulsa Offense Sparkles in Scrimmage
4/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 6, 2002
Tulsa, Oklahoma - After losing a fumble on its first drive, the Tulsa offense settled down and responded with six scoring drives in a 49-play scrimmage on Saturday at Skelly Stadium.
The five scoring drives all came from 65 yards out, as junior Eric Richardson had two one-yard scoring runs, and another totaling four yards. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Gooch threw touchdown passes on the final two drives, one covering six yards to junior Romby Bryant and the final TD of 34 yards to sophomore Edmond Freeman. Senior Ricky Tallant added a 22-yard field goal.
"Offensively, we executed and made big plays. It was not a good day for the defense. We have a lot of work to do, but I was proud of how we competed," said Head Coach Keith Burns. "Tyler made some big plays, and so did Montiese (Culton). Those are two of our playmakers on offense."
Each scoring drive was set up by a big play. On the first five-play, 65-yard scoring drive, Gooch scampered 55 yards on a third down-and-one play, then Richardson ran in from one yard out two plays later. Sophomore James Kilian directed the second touchdown, an eight-play, 65-yard drive, that was highlighted by a 43-yard Kilian run, while Richardson scored his second TD of the day on a four-yard run.
Third-team quarterback Zac Lassiter took the Tulsa offense to the 12-yard line, before settling on Tallant's 22-yard field goal. On the drive, Lassiter hit tight end Brad Hawkins, who makes the move this spring from defense, on successive completions covering 14 and 36 yards.
Kilian led the offense to its fourth score of the day in five plays, as a 15-yard pass to senior Brandon Birks and a 44-yard run by Bryant set up Richardson's third touchdown run of the day, a one-yarder.
Gooch directed the final two scores, both coming on passes. On the first, Gooch threw a third down pass 29 yards to sophomore Montiese Culton, while Culton followed that up with an 18-yard run to the defense's 17-yard line. Gooch hooked up with Bryant for the final six yards.
In a two-minute offense sequence, Gooch completed a seven-yard pass on third down-and-five to sophomore tight end Caleb Blankenship, and followed that with a 19-yard strike to Blankenship. Gooch threw the final 34 yards to Freeman for the touchdown.
Tulsa's special teams also made big plays by blocking a punt and an extra point attempt.
For the game, Tulsa quarterbacks completed 11-of-19 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, and had five offensive plays covering over 30 yards. Gooch completed 7-of-9 passes for 103 TDs and both touchdowns, while rushing for team-leading 70 yards on five carries. Kilian had 73 yards in total offense, including 50 yards on the ground and 23 passing yards. The leading receiver was Hawkins with two receptions for 50 yards
"I've been pleased with the way the spring has gone in all phases of the game. The competition and the attitude has been great," said Burns.
Tulsa will complete spring drills with the Annual Spring Game next Saturday at Skelly Stadium. The First Annual TU Football Lettermen's Flag Football Game will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Spring Game at 2 p.m. There is no admission charge.
RUSHING: Tyler Gooch, 5-70, James Kilian, 3-50, Romby Bryant, 1-44, Eric Richardson, 12-28-3 TDs, Montiese Culton, 1-18, Brandon Fuqua, 5-15, Brandon Birks, 1-3, Zac Lassiter, 1/-1
PASSING: Tyler Gooch, 7-of-9 for 103 yards, 2 TDs, Zac Lassiter, 2-of-5 for 50 yards, James Kilian, 2-of-5 for 23 yards
RECEIVING: Brad Hawkins, 2-50, Edmond Freeman, 1-34-1 TD, Montiese Culton, 1-29, Caleb Blankenship, 2-26, Brandon Birks, 2-23, Darrell Wimberly, 1-7, Romby Bryant, 1-6-1 TD, Eric Richardson, 1-1
