Tulsa
Tulane
Second Half Keys Hurricane Past Green Wave, 31-3
9/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2011
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
NEW ORLEANS - Tulsa gave Bill Blankenship his first victory as the Hurricane head coach with a 31-3 road win against the Tulane Green Wave at the Louisiana Superdome on Saturday afternoon.
The Hurricane offense amassed 412 total yards, including 166 on the ground and 246 in the air. G.J. Kinne completed 21-of-29 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns.Bryan Burnham caught seven passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns - all career highs for the junior.
Tulsa scored 21 points and gained 241 yards in the second half to pull away from the Green Wave, after taking a 10-3 lead into halftime.
In holding Tulane to just three points, the Tulsa defense kept its opponent out of the end zone for the first time since Sept. 26, 2009, when it defeated Sam Houston State, 56-3. It was also the first time the Golden Hurricane held a Conference USA opponent without a touchdown since Nov. 24, 2006, when it beat Tulane, 38-3.
The Hurricane defense allowed just 59 total rushing yards against Tulane. It was the fourth time in the last 15 games TU has held an opponent to less than 100 rushing yards. The Hurricane held Hawaii to 71 yards rushing in the 2010 Hawaii Bowl.
Tulsa took the second half kickoff 82 yards in nine plays for a 17-3 lead, as Alex Singleton ran in for the score from the two-yard line.
On the subsequent Tulane possession, the Green Wave threatened by traveling to the Tulsa 25-yard line, as Ryan Griffin connected on a 40-yard pass to Matt Marfisi on third-and-eight on their own 35-yard line. The Tulsa defense forced a 4th-and-12 situation and a Tulane field goal attempt missed to the left.
Tulsa took over on their own 27-yard line and appeared to score its' third TD of the game, but a holding call wiped out the Hurricane touchdown on a 75-yard pass play from Kinne to Bryan Burnham. The Green Wave took possession of the ball at the 50-yard line and traveled to the Tulsa 15-yard line before Cory Dorris caused a fumble that was recovered by Jack Jewell at the
It took the Hurricane offense just 0:35 to take a 24-3 lead when Kinne again connected with Burnham on a 40-yard pass that Burnham tipped to himself at the goal line and grabbed for the touchdown. The score capped a three-play, 77-yard drive.
Tulsa made it 31-3 after taking 2:49 off the clock and traveling 67 yards ins even plays, as Kinne threw his third TD pass of the game with a one-yard toss to tight end Clay Sears.
In the first half, the Green Wave put the first points on the board scoring on a 32-yard field goal following a Tulsa turnover. After a Marco Nelson 42-yard return on the subsequent kickoff to the Tulane 38-yard line, the Hurricane offense could mount no offense and was forced to punt.
Tulsa knotted the score at the 1:04 mark of the first period on a 28-yard Kevin Fitzpatrick field goal, capping a 66-yard, nine-play drive.
After the opening quarter, Tulsa's offense gained 76 yards for a 4.2 average per carry to Tulane's 30 yards and a 2.0 average.
After a Tulsa fumble gave Tulane good field at the Hurricane 35-yard line, Tulsa cornerback and New Orleans native Milton Howell intercepted a Green Wave pass. The Hurricane offense marched 73 yards in six plays and just 1:52 to take a 10-0 lead. Alex Singleton's 46-yard run put the Hurricane at the Tulane 18-yard line and three plays later Kinne connected with Bryan Burnham on a five yard TD reception.
At halftime, Tulsa gained 171 total yards, including 89 rushing and 82 passing, while the Hurricane defense held the Green Wave to 102 total yards, including just 19 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Tulsa will play Oklahoma State in the first home game for the Hurricane next Saturday at 9:00 pm from H.A. Chapman Stadium.
SCORING SUMMARY Qtr. Time Team Play Score 1 6:38 Tulane Cairo Santos 32 FG 0-3 1 1:04 Tulsa Kevin Fitzpatrick 28 FG 3-3 2 2:16 Tulsa G.J. Kinne 5 pass to Bryan Burnham (Fitzpatrick kick) 10-3 3 12:32 Tulsa Alex Singleton 2 run (Fitzpatrick kick) 17-3 4 14:51 Tulsa G.J. Kinne 40 pass to Bryan Burnham (Fitzpatrick kick) 24-3 4 8:47 Tulsa G.J. Kinne 1 pass to Clay Sears (Fitzpatrick kick) 31-3
