Tulsa’s offense in 2013 was, well, offensive to say the least.
The Golden Hurricane struggled mightily to score points the entire season, averaging a putrid 21 points per game and placing 30 or more on the scoreboard only twice in its dreadful 3-9 campaign.
A drastic contrast from the 2010 through 2012 unit that ranked in the top-30 in total offense each season — with the high point coming in a spectacular 2010 season where Tulsa finished the year ranked fifth in total offense.
Last season’s dramatic fall in offensive production, coupled with joining the new and more competitive AAC, set low expectations for this year’s unit.
Those minimal expectations for the offense were amped up following Tulsa’s thrilling double-overtime defeat of Tulane. The Tulsa attack appeared to be possessed by its high-flying 2010 counterparts, accumulating a massive 592 yards of total offense against the Green Wave.
Tulsa won two conference championships and five division titles during its nine-year stint in the C-USA, in large part from an explosive spread attack that racked up points by the dozens. Flashes of those championship offenses appeared in the second-half against Tulane, but not until the Golden Hurricane were down 21-7 to the Green Wave late in the second quarter.
Tulsa head coach Bill Blankenship recollected on his thoughts about the teams offensive struggles in the first-half to Tulsa World.
“I can’t believe this,” Blankenship thought after his team went down 21-7. “It feels like we’re dominating the game and we can’t score. It feels like we’re so much better, but we can’t score.”
Blankenship’s solemn outlook changed drastically when quarterback Dane Evans connected with receiver, and our AAC Offensive Player of the Week, Keevan Lucas for an 84-yard touchdown that brought Tulsa within seven at half-time.
“All summer and all spring, we just worked together to perfect our craft,” Lucas said in a post-game interview about the on-field chemistry he and Dane Evans have developed. “I feel like it paid off in this game. He’s in a good place right now so I’m happy with the way he is going.”
Lucas finished the game with 233 yards receiving (more than half of the 442 yards he hauled in all of last season), and three touchdowns. Lucas also rushed for 36 yards on three carries, demonstrating his versatility and crucial play-making abilities.
Evans thew for 438 yards with four touchdown passes in the overtime thriller, connecting to six different pass-catchers along the way. Evans proved he can spread the field to a package of play-makers. Josh Atkinson totaled 80-yards receiving, Keyarris Garrett, back from last years season-ending leg injury, caught five passes for 87 yards, and Conner Floyd caught the lone touchdown that wasn’t hauled in by Lucas.
Tulsa must keep its offensive machine rolling if it hopes to have a shot against the College Football Playoff contending Oklahoma Sooners. As good as the offense was against Tulane, the defense was a gross contrast, surrendering 516 yards to the Green Wave attack.
But even with the defensive struggles, the offense eclipsed any negative thoughts Tulsa players, coaches, and fans had about their chances of competing in the AAC. The Golden Hurricane started last year with a demoralizing 34-7 loss to Bowling Green in the season opener — gaining a putrid 273 yards of offense — which lead to the way to the programs uncharacteristic 3-9 showing.
Hopefully the strong start to 2014 means Tulsa will flip last year’s nine losses to 9 wins.
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