By Ralph Lauro Aug 20, 2007, 14:20 GMT
OFFENSE: The Hurricane plan to run a hurry-up, no-huddle offense this season and it will do so behind the veteran arm of quarterback Paul Smith. The senior gunslinger is experienced and talented and barring an injury he should become the school's all-time leading passer this season. Last year, in a more conservative scheme, Smith completed 66.6 percent of his tosses for 2,727 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Smith unfortunately, will have a whole new wideout group to work with, as Tulsa suffered the loss of its top three receivers from a year ago. Junior Dion Toliver has made a name for himself during the spring and he is the type of player that can stretch a defense with his speed. In the backfield, the Hurricane have the luxury of possessing one of the best one-two combos in the league in senior Courtney Tennial and junior Tarrion Adams. Tennial, an Oklahoma transfer, had a breakout season for Tulsa in '06, rushing for 845 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 5-9, 214-pound bruising back also snared two touchdowns. As for Adams, he is a terrific receiver out of the backfield, ranking third on the team with 31 catches last season. Adams has great speed and he could easily become the team's top back if Tennial were to falter for any reason. Both backs however, will have to be patient with the offensive line, as Tulsa welcomes back just one starter from a unit that paved the way for 162.1 rushing ypg in 2006.
DEFENSE: Graham's return to Tulsa means a switch back to a 3-3-5 defensive scheme that preaches intensity and lots of pressure. The defense welcomes back six starters from last year's unit, which ranked 21st (296.9 ypg) in total defense, and that is good news for Graham and Tulsa. On the defensive line, the Hurricane welcome back two starters, including junior end Moton Hopkins, who posted 40 stops a year ago. The line has some experience, but depth is a concern. As for the linebacker corps, this is surely the strength of the defense thanks to the return of two starters and several other key reserves. Senior Nelson Coleman is the highlight to this group and the defense. An all- league caliber performer, Coleman has started since his freshman year and has 274 career tackles, including 98 last season. In the secondary, two starters are welcomed back in the form of junior corner Roy Roberts and senior safety Anthony Germany. Roberts has 18 career starts and four career interceptions on his resume, while Germany begins his third year as a starter. A big hitter, Germany hopes to regain his form from 2005 when he led Tulsa with 13.5 TFLs.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior placekicker Jarod Tracy didn't have much work last season, but he was effective when called upon. Tracy connected on 11-of-12 field goal attempts and he will once again be counted upon in clutch situations. Junior Paul Jurado averaged over 40 yards per punt in a limited role last season and he is expected to take over the punting duties full time this year.
OUTLOOK: Tulsa has been highly successful since switching to C-USA and will likely add to its legacy this season. The Hurricane possess several weapons on both sides of the ball and very few holes to fill. In a conference filled with mediocre teams, expect this balanced club to rise to the top, as it did in 2005.
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