Practice Report - Day 13
8/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2010
TULSA, Okla. - The University of Tulsa football team practiced under the lights of H.A. Chapman Stadium Thursday evening - a rare occurrence during 2010 fall camp - and turned in one of the best practices of the preseason.
The team returned to campus from the Annual Golden Hurricane Football Kickoff Luncheon with high spirits and carried its excitement into practice, as TU continued preparations for the season opener against East Carolina.
"Tonight was an excellent practice," head coach Todd Graham said. "We had a great spirit on both sides of the football. The guys are really maturing and coming together as a group, and they brought it today. Our guys have really worked steady, but today was one of our best days."
Tulsa is set to feature one of the best passing attacks Conference USA has to offer, led by junior quarterback G.J. Kinne.
Kinne, one of TU's captains this year, started all 12 games under center as a sophomore and thrived in the offense last year. He was third in C-USA with 227.7 yards passing per game and fourth in the league in passing efficiency (142.63).
"G.J. is having a great camp," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chad Morris said. "He's done a good job of managing the game for us and making good decisions with the football. Plus his leadership is as strong as it's ever been."
Kinne had a 61-percent completion percentage last year. He threw for 2,732 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also led the Golden Hurricane in rushing with 393 yards on the ground and was second on the squad with five rushing TD's.
"It doesn't matter if we're up by 21 or down by 21, the main thing for me this year is I want to manage the offense and not try to do too much," Kinne said. "I just have to take care of the ball and make sure I minimize turnovers."
Providing quality depth behind Kinne will be sophomore Shavodrick Beaver. Beaver saw action in seven games as a true freshman, and coach Morris said he is impressed with Beavers' growth during the preseason.
"Shavodrick is another one that's had a good camp," Morris said. "He's gotten so much better, and I like how he is pushing G.J. He's getting ample reps right now, and I expect big things out of him."
There are four other quarterbacks on the roster, with the projected third-string QB being true freshman Kalen Henderson.
"Kalen has shown unbelievable promise with his arm," Graham said. "He definitely has a bright future."
Graham said the other three quarterbacks who will rotate time as the scout team QB are redshirt freshman Malachi Blankenship and true freshmen Stephen Rouse and Jacobe Green.
Tulsa opens the 2010 season at defending Conference USA Champion East Carolina on Sunday, September 5th on ESPN 2. Tulsa will open the home season against Bowling Green on Sept. 11th. Season tickets are available at www.TulsaHurricane.com or by calling 918.631.GoTU (4688).
Weather Report (Thursday, August 19)
Starting: Temperature - 91˚, Humidity - 45%
