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TULSA FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW FOR 2010
8/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 4, 2010
Tulsa, Oklahoma - It's simple for Tulsa Head Coach Todd Graham. "Take care of the football, play championship defense and play great special teams" is the ingredient to win championships according to Graham.
Tulsa's most experience this year will be on the offensive side of the football. Tulsa returns nine starters to the offense with seven more players who started at least one game in 2009.
"As we look at our football team, the experience on the offensive side of the football sticks out to me the most, especially with a quarterback who has a year's of experience under his belt," said Graham.
Unlike a year ago, the Tulsa offense returns a starting quarterback in the likes of G.J. Kinne. "G.J. brings more confidence with a year under his belt at quarterback He's mobile, can make all the throws and has stepped up as a leader. We expect him to be a more veteran guy with composure and one who manages the game," added Graham.
There's no doubt that Tulsa has a very-skilled and potentially explosive offense, but it will take protection and a run game to get back to where Tulsa led the nation in offense in 2007 and 2008.
"Were very explosive and very talented, skill-wise. The key to our success offensively will be our ability to run the football and protect the quarterback. We'll have to be able to establish the running game and move people off the ball," added Graham.
Last year, the Hurricane saw a rash of injuries that forced the offensive line to play with eight different starting lineups.
On defense, Tulsa loses six starters, but has increased its speed and athleticism throughout the defensive unit.
"From a personnel standpoint we're getting to where we want to be in recruiting defensive linemen. We have an experienced bunch coming back on the front line, and we've added three really quality guys through the junior college ranks," said Graham.
Ends Cory Dorris and Odrick Ray are the two defensive line starters from last year and will anchor that front wall for the Hurricane. "Our front should be the anchor of our defense. It's the most experienced with two returning starters up front. It's a very talented group," added Graham.
The linebacker corps has just seven total players, but it is perhaps the most athletic that it's been in the past few seasons.
"We're thin on experience at linebacker, but we have some really good talent and athleticism. Tanner Antle and Curnelius Arnick can be two of the best linebackers in Conference USA. They're athletic and explosive playmakers. Those two guys are keys to our success defensively," said Graham.
Perhaps the biggest challenge on the Tulsa defense will be meshing a youthful group in the secondary.
"In the back-end of the defense we have the biggest challenge. We have a lot of young guys in the secondary, but we're athletic, have good speed," said Graham
Tulsa has an extremely competitive schedule in 2010 with non-conference opponents Bowling Green, Oklahoma State and Notre Dame, while the league portion of the schedule has the Hurricane playing four bowl teams from 2009 -- East Carolina, SMU, Houston and Southern Miss.
THURSDAY: OFFENSE PREVIEW FRIDAY: DEFENSE PREVIEW and MEDIA DAY COVERAGE
