Tulsa Plays at East Carolina in Season Finale Saturday

TULSA CLOSES OUT SEASON AT EAST CAROLINA ON SATURDAY

GAME 12: TULSA (3-8, 1-6 American) vs. EAST CAROLINA (2-9, 1-6 American)
Date/Time:	Saturday, November 25, 2:00 p.m. (ET)/ 1:00 P.M. (CT)
Site:	Greenville, N.C.
Stadium:	Bagwell Field @ Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (50,000)
Coaches:	TULSA – Kevin Wilson (North Carolina '84), 1st year EAST CAROLINA – Mike Houston (Mars Hill '94), 5th year
TV:	ESPN+
Talent:	James Westling (pxp), Reggie Walker (analyst)
Tickets:	CLICK HERE
Radio:	Big Country 99.5 FM or Online
Talent:	Bruce Howard (pxp), Rick Couri (analyst), Jeremie Poplin (sideline)
Live Stats:	Live Stats
Series:	Series tied 8-8
Game Notes:	Tulsa \| East Carolina \| American Athletic Conference

GREENVILLE, N.C. –– Tulsa and East Carolina enter Saturday's season finale each trying to end with a victory in what has been disappointing campaigns for two of the American Athletic Conference's tradition-rich programs.

Both with 1-6 league records, Tulsa comes in with an overall 3-8 mark, while the Pirates stand at 2-9 on the year. The Golden Hurricane is looking to snap a six-game losing streak, while ECU has won just once in its last seven contests.

The first season for Tulsa's Kevin Wilson has had its share of positives pointing to a bright future, but injuries have not helped the Hurricane in 2023. It's been a season that has seen four different starting quarterbacks due to injuries, while Tulsa's top two receivers and one of its top running backs have been sidelined for nearly half the season. Injuries on the offensive front has caused changes up front for the Hurricane.

Turnovers offensively and giving up the big play on defense have been the achilles heel for the Hurricane this season. Those are two aspects of the game that will need to be in Tulsa's favor Saturday for the Hurricane to end the season with a victory.

Tulsa quarterbacks Kirk Francis and Braylon Braxton will both be available against the Pirates. In his only appearances, the true freshman Francis has thrown for 670 yards and four TDs in the last three contests. Braxton, who was injured in the season opener, has managed just 212 passing and 174 rushing yards in an injury-riddled season.

Tulsa's run game is led by Anthony Watkins' 783 yards and four TDs, while former walk-on Kamdyn Benjamin has evolved as Tulsa's top pass catcher with 584 yards and five scores.

Tulsa enters the contest having put up 380 yards on offense with 196 coming through the air and 184 on the ground. The Hurricane face an ECU defense that is one of the best in The American, ranking in the top-4 statistically for rush, pass, scoring and total defense. The Pirates have held opposing offenses to 119.7 yards on the ground and 212 passing yards.

ECU's defense has forced 15 turnovers while compiling 79 tackles for loss and 45 pass breakups. Julius Wood has led the Pirates in tackles with 79 while the trio of Chad Stephens, D'Anta Johnson and Jeremy Lewis have combined for 28.5 TFL on the season.

After losing an abundance of offensive firepower to graduation last year, East Carolina's offense has had its share of struggles as well. The Pirates have rushed for 103 yards and passes for another 162 yards, while scoring just 16.5 points per game.

Tulsa's defense, led by safety Kendarin Ray with his AAC-leading 116 tackles, will look to keep the ECU offense from breaking out Saturday. Ben Kopenski, who like Ray will be making his final appearance in a Tulsa uniform, is coming off a career day that saw him tally four TFL and three QB sacks a week ago against a potent North Texas offense in a seven-point loss.

The game can be heard in Tulsa on Big Country 99.5 FM and nationally on Sirius XM 387, while it can be seen on ESPN+.

Tulsa Plays at East Carolina in Season Finale Saturday

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Kamdyn Benjamin

Braylon Braxton

Kirk Francis

Ben Kopenski

Kendarin Ray

Anthony Watkins

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