By Ralph Lauro Aug 20, 2006, 17:10 GMT
OFFENSE: Tulsa had one of the top offenses in C-USA last season, ranking 39th nationally in total offense (402.2 ypg) and 23rd in scoring (33.1 ppg).
With seven starters and a bunch of experienced reserves back in the fold, the Hurricane should be tough to stop once again. It all starts with quarterback Paul Smith, who is coming of a tremendous showing in '05. Smith not only completed 62.4 percent of his passes, but he had just six interceptions against 20 touchdowns. He threw for 2,847 yards and had nine games of 200 or more passing yards. Smith lost his top target in tight end Garrett Mills to the NFL Draft, but Idris Moss leads a talented and deep group of receivers that will surely make up for the loss. As for the backfield, the team must replace leading rusher Uril Parrish (775 yards), but that shouldn't be a problem.
Brandon Diles is finally healthy and could be primed for a breakout year, while Tarrion Adams will continue to provide a nice change of pace. The burner rushed for 574 yards and eight touchdowns behind a 6.4 ypc average in '05. Both backs should benefit from an offensive line that returns four starters from last year's group that helped Tulsa average 166.0 ypg on the ground.
DEFENSE: On the defensive side of the ball, the Golden Hurricane was equally as good, ranking 40th in total defense (348.3 ypg) and 43rd in scoring defense (23.5 ppg). With nine starters back from last year's unit that created 36 turnovers and logged 30 sacks, Tulsa should once again dominate on this side of the ball. Up front, three starters return with defensive end Chadd Evans (34 tackles and seven TFLS) highlighting the group.
The middle of the field should be even stronger for Tulsa considering Nelson Coleman, Chris Chamberlain and Nick Bunting all return to their starting roles. Coleman headed the club with 117 tackles last season, while Chamberlain and Bunting checked in with 88 and 85 stops, respectively. As for the secondary, it was among the nation's best last season, holding opponents to just 183.3 passing ypg, while ranking third in interceptions with 22.
The unit could be even better this time around thanks to the return of starting corner Nick Graham and safeties Anthony Germany and Bobby Blackshire. Graham ranked sixth in the nation with six picks in '05 and he has the tools to match up man-to-man with almost any wideout. As for the safeties, Germany led the club with 13.5 TFLs, while Blackshire earned First Team All-league honors with his 99 stops and two interceptions.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Hurricane did lose a few key pieces to its special teams and that could prove costly in close games this year. The team must find a way to replace kicker Brad DeVault as wells as kick returner Ashlan Davis. DeVault fell one point short (280) of setting a school record last season, while Davis and his six career kick return touchdowns will surely be missed. Punter Chris Kindred is back, but he will have to do better than the mere 37.9 ypp he averaged in '05.
OUTLOOK: All the pieces are in place for Tulsa to repeat as C-USA champions in 2006. The Golden Hurricane have plenty of weapons on offense, and a defense that could be the best in the league. With a favorable schedule as well, Tulsa could be looking at a double-figure win season and another bowl appearance.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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