Saturday, September 26
Chapman Stadium
6:00 PM

Tulsa

56
vs
3

Sam Houston State

Tulsa Defeats Sam Houston St., 56-3

9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football

Charles Opeseyitan races for the endzone.

Sept. 26, 2009

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery 

TULSA, Okla. - Tulsa finally played a home football game Saturday, and the return to H.A. Chapman Stadium also marked the return of the Golden Hurricane's high octane offense, as it defeated Sam Houston State, 56-3.

The Hurricane (3-1, 1-0 C-USA) piled up 516 yards of total offense and scored on eight of its first 11 possessions, including five of seven in the first half.

Quarterback G.J. Kinne completed 12-of-15 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Kinne also led TU with 58 rushing yards. Damaris Johnson caught three passes for 103 yards, giving him 1,027 receiving yards for his career.

Trae Johnson caught two passes - both touchdowns - that totaled 50 yards, and was his fourth career multiple touchdown game. Charles Opeseyitan had 10 carries for 55 yards, and Willie Carter carried six times for 54 yards.

Sam Houston State (1-2) took the opening kickoff and drove to the Tulsa 42 yard line, but the Hurricane held off a fourth down attempt. TU then drove 58 yards in just more than one minute to take a 7-0 lead. Kinne eluded pressure and threw on the run to Shelley who was standing at the two yard line and walked into the end zone.

Following a Bearkat field goal that made the score 7-3, TU, the Golden Hurricane used just two plays to find the end zone again. Kinne hit Damaris Johnson for a 63 yard completion that, with the PAT, made the score 14-3, Tulsa.

On its first possession of the second quarter, Tulsa once again struck quickly, driving 68 yards in just six plays, capped by a two-yard run by Charles Opeseyitan, making the score, 21-3, TU.

TU continued its quick-strike offense with a four-play, 59 yard drive that lasted just 1:34 and ended with a 34-yard pass from Kinne to Trae Johnson.

The Hurricane took over with a short field following an 11-yard punt by Sam Houston State, and took full advantage, as Kinne hooked up with Trae Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown, the second consecutive touchdown connection between Kinne and the junior receiver.

The teams went into the locker room at halftime with Tulsa leading, 35-3.

Tulsa took the first possession of the second half and drove straight down the field, driving 53 yards in seven plays

On its second possession of the half, TU punted fro just the second time in the game, but the Bearkat returner fumbled on the return, and Curnelius Arnick recovered at the 20 yard line. In two plays, the Hurricane scored again, this time, a 14 yard run on a keeper by quarterback Jacob Bower, giving Tulsa a 49-3 lead.

Willie Carter scored his first career touchdown with a 39 yard run to close out a three-play, 51-yard drive in the third quarter to make the score, 56-3, TU. The 39 yards gained on that run totaled more yard than Carter had rushed for in three previous games this season.

The Hurricane returns to the field next Saturday, Oct. 3, as it travels to Rice for a Conference USA matchup at Rice Stadium.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
TU (9:08) - G.J. Kinne 30 yard pass to Slick Shelley	7-0
SHSU (6:15) - 25 yard field goal	                7-3
TU (5:33) - Kinne 63 pass to Damaris Johnson	       14-3

2nd Quarter TU (12:49) - Charles Opeseyitan 2 yard run 21-3 TU (8:52) - Kinne 34 yard pass to Trae Johnson 28-3 TU (6:27) - Kinne 16 yard pass to T. Johnson 35-3

3rd Quarter TU (11:34) - A.J. Whitmore 5 yard run 42-3 TU (5:44) - Jacob Bower 14 yard run 49-3 TU (2:57) - Willie Carter 39-yard run 56-3

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