It is with a minor sense of irony that these two teams, who have been conference foes for the last decade, begin their new venture into the American Athletic Conference by playing each other. The question is—who will win, and what do they have to pull it off?
Stats and Facts:
- The teams have played 10 times as major schools, with Tulsa winning eight. Tulane won last year’s contest 14-7, but the previous victory was back in 1968, when Tulsa was in the Missouri Valley Conference.
- In the Tulsa’s eight wins, the Green Wave have never come within 24 points.
- Last year was the first season as conference foes, Tulane have had a better record than the Golden Hurricane.
Tulane’s Offense
In case you haven’t heard, Tulane will be starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback this season. Tanner Lee is highly regarded by his coaching staff, but he’s playing in his first ever game.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh6hU-jVFw0]Last season, the Green Wave managed just 126 yards rushing per game, and their top two rushers from last season Orleans Darkwa and Rob Kelley (combined 1,283 yards and 15 TDs) won’t be playing. Redshirt freshman Sherman Badie and sophomore Lazedrick Thompson (22 carries for 68 yards last year) will attempt to replace them.
The offensive line that struggled in run blocking also allowed 32 sacks. Said line returns three starters, and adds top 2013 recruit Chris Taylor. Will they better? Very probably. Will they be good enough to open running lanes and keep Lee off his back? Not so probable.
Top receiver Ryan Grant is also gone, and Justin Shackleford, who caught 36 passes for 419 yards and five touchdowns, Xavier Rush (17-196-1), will have to fill a sizable void. Freshman Charles Jones will start at tight end, but he was used more as a blocker in high school. Can he be a reliable checkdown target for Lee?
Tulsa’s Defense
The Golden Hurricane defense did its best to carry the team last season, but couldn’t overcome its ailing offense. It should be better this season, but there will be losses.
The hardest hit area is linebacker, where superstar Shawn Jackson and his running mates are gone. Jackson will be almost impossible to replace. Tasked with the job will be Trent Martin, a talented but injury prone reserve. Outside him will be redshirt freshman Craig Suits and long-time reserve Donnell Hawkins. They all need to take a big step forward.
The defensive line should be strong with three guys back. Top pass rusher Derrick Alexander led the team with 6.5 sacks, and will bring the heat again. In the middle, Derrick Luetjen and Jerry Uwaezuoke will provide some punch. Chris Hummingbird was outstanding as a reserve defensive end last season, but now he has to do it on a full-time basis. Put the smart money on him being a success though.
The secondary should be the strength of the defense. There will be some switching around, even with three starters back. Will Barrow will move from free safety to cornerback, making way for the return of the DeMarco Nelson, a playmaker who missed all of last season. Michael Mudoh made 133 tackles last season at strong safety, but it would be ideal if he could cut down on the run support and pitch in against the pass more. Dwight Dobbins was solid on the on the corner.
Tulsa’s Offense
Tulsa’s offense has been a force to be reckoned with for some time now, but struggled to make headway last season as the passing game collapsed.
Senior quarterback Cody Green didn’t fulfill his promise of the previous season, and Dane Evans looked like the freshman he was when he took over for an injured Green. Evans will start this season, but he has to do a lot better than his 2013 performance, completing just 43.1 percent of his passes for 898 yards and four touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. Word from camp is he has improved, but enough to navigate the AAC? That remains to be seen.
The running was solid behind Trey Watts last season (1,329 yards, 11 TDs), but he needs to be replaced this year, as does top reserve Ja’Terian Douglas. Little used sophomore James Flanders (two carries last year) will lead the attack this season (gulp), with help from electric JUCO Tavarreon Dickerson. The talent is there, but they are unproven at this level.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JViH5uXI-QI]The offensive line is a question mark too. Garrett Stafford is solid with left tackle, while Dylan Foxworth had a decent first year at center. Sophomore Blake Belcher beat out senior starter Davis Walton at right tackle, while Chris Wallace and Garrett Gladd are moving up to starters at guard after learning the ropes in the rotation.
One sure thing is receiver Keevan Lucas, who caught 32 passes for 442 yards and a touchdown, despite the problems at quarterback. If Evans is improved as advertised, he should double those numbers (hopefully more than double for TDs). Josh Atkinson caught nine passes as a freshman last season, and will get the chance to improve on that this year, as will Keyarris Garrett, who caught seven. Mandel Dixon, a Pittsburg State transfer, takes on the key H-Back role, while Tyler Wilson returns at tight end. This is an experienced group, if not quite productive.
Tulane’s Defense
The Green Wave’s defense was a great unit last season, shutting down the run and making a ton of big plays, namely 38 sacks, 111 tackles for loss and 35 turnovers. Now they have to rebuild.
The good news is in the secondary, where three starters return. Cornerback Lorenzo Doss led the team with seven interceptions, and will shut down half the field when Tulsa passes. Safeties Sam Scofield and Darion Monroe combined for 194 tackles with – wait for it – 18.5 tackles for loss. Not only were they great against the run, but 14 passes broken up showed they play the aerial game too.
Outside linebacker Nico Marley made 11 tackles for loss last season, but he’s the sole returnee. True freshman Rae Juan Marbley and former starter Matthew Bailey will fill the void. Marbley’s inexperience is be a big concern in the middle, although Bailey is experienced and should be fine.
Royal LaFrance was second on the team last season with 6.5 sacks, and will provide the pass rush again this season, but his linemates are new. Tanzel Smart and Corey Redwine are both big guys in the middle, but they lack great experience. Tyler Gilbert played regularly last season, making 3.0 sacks.
Tulane’s Special Teams
The Green Wave need to replace a reliable kicker in Cairo Santos this season, and neither candidate, Steven Broccoli or Andrew DiRocco, has distanced himself in camp. Both will be used until someone steps forward. Punter Peter Picerelli is reliable. The return games were mediocre last season, while the kick and punt coverage was good, but allowed two TDs.
Tulsa’s Special Teams
A comfort zone for the Hurricane, placekicker Carl Salazar made 16-of-19 field goals last season, while punter Dalton Parks had a good enough freshman year to inspire hope for this one. Nelson will return kicks and punts this season. The kick coverage was good, but the punt coverage was spotty, allowing a score.
The Big Prediction
These teams have a lot in common going into this season – questionable passing attacks, new running backs, a building offensive line – but will rely on their defense and special teams to carry them through the early going. With that in mind, Tulsa has the edge in both facets, although the play of both quarterbacks is unknown until real snaps are taken. Tulsa has the edge at kicker, plus homefield advantage, and will reap the rewards in a tough 13-10 slugfest.
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