.png)
.png)
Practice Report - Day 4
8/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2010
Head Coach Todd Graham Post-Practice Video Day 4
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa football team is currently in preseason training camp, and TU wrapped up Day 4 this morning at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Today's feature is focused on what the team hopes will be an improved rushing attack from the Golden Hurricane in 2010.
Tulsa's running game ranked in the middle of the pack in Conference USA a season ago, averaging 150.8 yards per game on the ground. The team scored 19 times by way of a rush. The Golden Hurricane have added plenty of depth to their backfield, and they will look to show significant improvements from a year ago.
"I want us to be the best in the country, and we're not going to settle for anything less," said Bill Blankenship, senior associate head coach, running backs coach and special teams coach. "I've got five guys rotating at running back that have had a great couple of days in terms of pushing each other. We're still not consistent yet, but the competition level is really going to help us get better."
The five backs vying for playing time are veterans Jamad Williams, Alex Singleton and Trey Watts, and newcomers Derrick Hall and Ja'Terian Douglas.
Williams returns with the most playing experience, as he finished last season second on the team in rushing with 389. He rushed for 3.9 yards per carry and scored one rushing touchdown.
"We have a running-back-by-committee, and we're all working hard and helping each other out to get the job done," Williams said. "The running backs all have a hard-edged mentality, and we're all trying to capitalize on our chances."
Quarterback G.J. Kinne led Tulsa last season with 393 yards on the ground. He also finished second with five rushing TD's and had a team-high 55-yard carry against Southern Miss.
The Golden Hurricane topped 200 yards rushing four different times last year, including a season-high 238-yard effort against Sam Houston State. On the flip side, TU failed to hit triple digits in two games, which included a 30-yard game against defending Conference USA champion East Carolina.
Fullback Charles Clay led the team with seven rushing touchdowns. He was third on the ground with 236 yards, and he averaged 3.7 yards per carry.
"We struggled running the football last year, so that's been a big focus for us this fall camp," Clay said. "We have a lot of guys that are all capable of doing different things, and as a group they have all been spectacular so far in camp. The whole mentality from the running backs has changed. The guys are playing with a physical edge now, and I expect them to play hard every down."
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 (Monday, August 9)
Starting: Temperature - 92.9°, Humidity - 50%
Ending: Temperature - 100.4°, Humidity - 32.3%
FIRST WEEK NOTES
· The Sherman High School football coaching staff visited practice on Saturday. Sherman High School head coach is Gary Kinne, father of Tulsa quarterback G.J. Kinne . . . also on that staff is former TU quarterback David Johnson, and former TU assistant coach Brent Graham, nephew of Tulsa head coach Todd Graham.
· Former Tulsa Golden Hurricane and longtime NFL offensive lineman David Alexander watched his son, TU freshman lineman Jake Alexander from Jenks High School, on Saturday. The father of senior walk-on receiver Tyler Pistoia, Joe who played receiver for Tulsa in the 1960's, was visiting from California.
· Junior defensive back Chris Ford spent Friday's Annual Media Day by doing his own video version of Media Day. Chris' video can be seen over the next week on TulsaHurricane.com All-Access (just go to the launch player).
