Tulsa Heads into Saturday's Scrimmage After Good Friday Morning Workout

TULSA, Okla. –– The Tulsa football team returned to the grass at Harwell Field Friday following two days on the stadium turf. The Golden Hurricane will scrimmage on Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. as part of Fan Fest at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

After seven practices, head coach Philip Montgomery talked about the progress of his team as the Hurricane head into its first full-padded scrimmage tomorrow. "Every day we're getting better. Obviously, we're putting new stuff in every day. As you do that, you have to continue to keep the energy and intensity level up," said Montgomery.

"Now, they're thinking a little more. As a coach we don't want that. We want them to move, react, play and execute, but they have to continue to press those details to understand how I'm going to work this guy on my route, how I'm going to cover this guy, how I'm going with my feet on this block. Those things have to come naturally to them now, so we can play faster," Montgomery added.

"Today was the second day in a row that we had high humidity and heat. We need it. I thought it was really good for us. We had a good practice today, not our best practice," said Montgomery. The temperature reached 93 and the humidity 54 during today's practice.

With the seventh practice in the books, Montgomery said scheme-wise the defense is nearly 60 percent installed and the offense has most everything put in.

"Defensively, we're about 55-60 percent of everything installed. On offense, we have just about all of our run game in now, and we're sprinkling in a couple different wrinkles in the passing game. We've got quite a bit in offensively," said Montgomery.

Besides coming out of tomorrow's scrimmage healthy, Montgomery talked about what he'd like to see on the field.

"I want to see us be consistent," Montgomery said about Saturday's scrimmage. "I'd like to see our defense create a couple turnovers and have some 3-and-outs and then limit those explosive plays, especially when the ones are on the field. Offensively, I want to see us have a few more explosive plays. I'd like to see a couple 5-play or less drives, then I would like to have a long drive. You have to go through those to get mentally prepared for it. I'd like to see our running game continue to grow."

Saturday's Fan Fest festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. at Chapman Stadium.

RUNNING BACKS UPDATE

Tulsa doesn't return a running back who was healthy at the end of the season, but two players –– Shamari Brooks and Corey Taylor II –– showed just how effective they can be running the football in the Hurricane offense before injuries ended their seasons a year ago.

Brooks set Tulsa's true freshman rushing record last year with 687 yards and 10 TDs in just nine games. Taylor rushed for 179 yards, a 5.3 average and four TDs in his only two games.

"Shamari had such an impressive campaign last year. Obviously, he got nicked up and had to miss a few games at the end. When the lights come on, you know Shamari is going to be ready to play," said head coach Philip Montgomery. "Corey played a little in 2016 and he had a good start last year. He had a decent game in Game 1, and then in Game 2 he was getting going when he broke his foot. Corey's vision has gotten so much better and he has a good feel for what we're doing offensively."

Running back coach Justin Hill added, "Shamari and Corey each had a great summer and have been challenged to step up and work on their leadership. They've taken on that role and are doing a good job of bringing other guys along, bringing energy every day and demanding more out of themselves and their teammates."

"It's a good 1-2 punch with Shamari and Corey because they're just different body styles. Corey is really dense, but still has the speed to take it to the house," added Montgomery

"Javon (Thomas) has had a good fall camp and has to continue coming on and growing. He's ready to step into that light, and just has to do it on a more consistent basis. Reed Martin has had a really good fall camp. I've been pleasantly surprised at what he's given us during these seven practices, and then you have the true freshman T.K. (Wilkerson) out of Skiatook. T.K. is what we thought he was. He's a big guy who can run. You put him in our style of offense and I think he can be really successful," said Montgomery.

Thomas has just one game played to his credit in 2016, while Martin red-shirted last year as a true freshman. Wilkerson totaled 1,785 yards and 24 touchdowns as a prep senior at nearby Skiatook High School.

Hill is happy with the depth of the running back slot. "It's the same every year. It's almost running back by committee. It's the next man up type mentality. Those other guys have come a long way during the spring and fall," said Hill.

Tulsa Heads into Saturday's Scrimmage After Good Friday Morning Workout

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Shamari Brooks

Reed Martin

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