.png)
Arnick Shines In New Scheme
9/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2011
Written by: Cedrique Flemming, University of Tulsa Media Relations
This story originally appeared in the Sept. 17 edition of Hurricane Illustrated for the Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State football game.
A new scheme was just fine with him.
When the new coaching staff came to The University of Tulsa this past spring and told Curnelius Arnick that they would be switching the defense, he was excited about the opportunity.
"I love the new scheme," Arnick said. "The extra down (defensive) lineman allows me more time to read the offensive linemen, and it gives me a better chance to go out there and make plays for the team."
The Golden Hurricane ran a variation of the 3-3-5 defense last year (three defensive linemen, three linebackers, five defensive backs), and new defensive coordinator Brent Guy made the switch to a true 4-3 defense (four defensive linemen, three linebackers).
"We felt like the personnel we had would be better served in a 4-3," TU head coach Bill Blankenship said. "Coach Guy knows that defense inside and out, so he was a perfect fit for what we were wanting to do here."
Arnick backed up what he already knew, which was that he was a perfect fit in the 4-3 defense.
In the first game of the season - against the No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners - the senior middle linebacker racked up a career-high 18 tackles, which was six more than his previous career best.
"Curnelius has had a great start to the season, and he had a fantastic game against Oklahoma," senior defensive lineman Cory Dorris said. "He has shown that he deserves to be the leader of this defense, and I think he is doing a great job for us."
Arnick was literally all over the field, and he has proven up to this point that he can be one of the top linebackers in the nation.
"I've been saying since fall camp that I was going to get 15 tackles against OU, so I wasn't surprised at all with how well I performed in that first game," he said. "I had a personal desire to show that we could play with the No. 1 team in the nation. We may not have won the game, but I think we turned some heads."
The Dallas, Texas, native leads the Golden Hurricane with 37 tackles through three games this season, and his 12.3 tackles per game ranks fifth in the NCAA.
He has played 42 career games and has started each of the last 16. He led Tulsa with 116 tackles a year ago, and he was named all-C-USA Honorable Mention. He also had eight sacks and four interceptions in 2010.
Arnick was named one of TU's captains prior to the start of the season, and that is a distinction he does not take for granted.
"I took it as a big honor when I found out that I was named a captain," he said. "I am trying as hard as I can to set an example for this team and show that I can be a leader. I want to do everything there is to uphold what that `C' represents."
His hard work is paying off, and his coaches and teammates are taking notice.
"He's become the real leader of this defense," Blankenship said. "He's a guy they rally behind because of his work ethic and his commitment. I just love the way he has developed over time. He has done the right things both on and off the field to put himself in a position to have a great final year, and I am really excited for him."
Arnick will have plenty of opportunities left this season to make a name for himself. Tulsa will travel to Boise, Idaho on Sept. 24 for a 7 p.m. meeting with No. 4 Boise State. TU also has the meat of its Conference USA schedule still on tap.
