Tulsa Begins Preparation for Home Opening Opponent UCA

TULSA, Okla. –– The Tulsa football team returned to the practice field today following the last two days off and beginning classes on Monday. Tulsa began its preparations for the September 1season opener against the UCA Bears.

Single-game tickets for the UCA game and the remaining five regular season contests are available for purchase. Game time for the UCA game is 6:00 p.m. Season tickets for the six-game home schedule can still be purchased beginning at only $60 for General Admission seating.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Tulsa returns five players who made at least one start on defensive front in 2017.

"Our defensive line has done really well through our preseason drills," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery. "We've kind of battled some injuries with guys missing a day or two, and guys are working their way back in. I think what we're doing schematically has been really good, and those guys have taken a lot of ownership in preparing themselves for the season. I'm pleased with what they did since we began camp."

Senior Myles Mouton and Trevis Gipson have led the way on the outside with junior college newcomers Cullen Wick and red-shirt freshman Devin Lamp getting a lot of action during practice. Mouton and Gipson saw considerable playing time last year at end, while Mouton also played tackle and started five games there.

On the interior, Tulsa returns junior Shemarr Robinson who started nine games last year, and sophomore Tyarise Stevenson, who started two games for the Hurricane a year ago. Stevenson totaled 24 tackles, followed by Robinson with 22. Two newcomers, junior college transfer JaJuan Blankenship and true freshman Jaxon Player have battled themselves into the rotation on the defensive interior.

Defensive coordinator Bill Young has been pleased with the progress of the Hurricane defensive line this preseason.

"Our line has done a real good job. We've had some people banged up, but all in all I think we have a chance to have a really good defensive line," said Young. "Myles Mouton has had the best fall since I've been here and Trevis (Gipson) is another guy who's getting better and has stepped up to his role as being a starter."

Other returnees that add depth on the defensive front include senior Payton Prince, sophomores Beau Wooden and Jacob Pugh. Junior college transfer Cade Baumann, at end, who missed spring practice, also adds depth, while true sophomore tackle Garrett Flanary has missed preseason camp.

"We have to continue to be versatile and use a lot of different looks with guys playing multiple positions, and if we do that we can keep offenses off balance," said Montgomery.

Tulsa Begins Preparation for Home Opening Opponent UCA

Players Mentioned

Cade Baumann

JaJuan Blankenship

Garrett Flanary

Trevis Gipson

Myles Mouton

Jaxon Player

Payton Prince

Jacob Pugh

Shemarr Robinson

Tyarise Stevenson

Cullen Wick

Beau Wooden

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