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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 6-6 (5-3) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Dave Rader Returning starters: 14 (offense 5, defense 7) Outlook Say this for the Golden Hurricane: They are consistent. Since joining the WAC three seasons ago, Tulsa has posted three consecutive 2-6 conference campaigns. It hasn't had a winning overall record since finishing 10-2 in 1991 with former Redskin Gus Frerotte at quarterback. Despite not winning on more than four games in seven seasons, Dave Rader enters his 12th season in Tulsa with a new four-year contract in his hip pocket. This October Golden Hurricane fans will celebrate the 70th anniversary of football at historic Skelly Stadium. It could mark the high point of the season, however. Tulsa travels to play Oklahoma State and Texas in September before opening conference play against Rice on Oct. 2. Two weeks later at Hawaii marks the beginning of a stretch which features four out of five games at home. If Tulsa can keep its head above water to that point, finishing with a flourish -- which it did in '98 with a 35-0 upset of Wyoming -- might not be all that far-fetched. OffenseMichael Wall has stepped out of a crowd at quarterback as the team's No. 1. He was 3-2 in five starts a year ago.Kirk Walters received consideration, but the most promising of the backups is Josh Blankenship, a freshman recruit that Rader calls the most significant local player he's had. Rader was named Oklahoma player of the year after throwing for 3,119 yards and 40 touchdowns as a high school senior. If all goes right, the line could be one of the strongest areas of the team. Sophomore Robert Stevenson, who was No. 2 on the depth chart, has announced plans to transfer. Two starting tackles must be replaced, but returning starters on the interior have provided a foundation from which to work. Junior center Steve Schiller (6-5, 288) has started all but two games the past two seasons. He'll be flanked by Steve Wiedower (6-3, 282) and Aaron Haddock (6-4, 303), who has quick feet for his size. Senior Don Douglass has locked up one of the vacated spots at tackle and it appears that sophomore Kevin Shaffer will get the nod as the other tackle.The receiving game is in the capable hands of Damon Savage and Jerrold Smith, who combined for 75 passes, 871 yards and eight touchdowns. Savage was a first-team all-WAC selection last year. He needs 1,144 yards to break Howard Twilley's career yardage mark at Tulsa. The one-back offense figures to provide plenty of work for John Mosley and Kevin Isham. Mosley scored five TDs last year and capped the season by rushing for 201 yards against Wyoming. It's a good sign if: Wall can hold down the starting job at QB.It's a bad sign if: Tulsa can't average more than 20 ponts a game. Defense This side of the ball rarely gets much press, and when it does, it's not usually good. Last year's average yield of 347 yards a game represented a vast improvement. But this could be the team's best unit since the Freedom Bowl season of 1991. Sophomore end Drew McLaughlin (6-3, 239), emerged as a potential pass-rushing threat this spring. The converted tight end has legitimate 4.6 speed, which should pose trouble for flat-footed offensive tackles. McLaughlin will join forces with junior Chris Odom, who is set to start for a second season at one end position. JC transfers Andy Taylor and Jeff Hewitt are expected to anchor the middle. Strong safety Brett Butler is a playmaker and won the job this spring, when junior Sedrick Lusk proved he can be a reliable cornerback. Senior Todd Franz, an all-WAC Mountain Division second-team selection last season, is the other corner. Undersized Chris Miller (5-9, 185) , who started five games a year ago, has emerged as the starting strong safety. TU's linebacking is solid with senior Jeremy McClure (6-2, 234) in the middle and junior Ashon Farley (5-11, 222) on the strong side. Farley's 71 tackles led the team in '98. It's a good sign if: Franz lends leadership to an unsteady secondary.It's a bad sign if: The front seven continues to get pushed around. Special Teams Last year Tulsa was hurt by its kicking game as just five of 12 field goals were made. Sophomore Chris Earnest, just 2-for-4 last season, must demonstrate consistency or redshirt freshman Ricky Tallant could end up with the job. Casey Lipscomb is back at punter after averaging 38 yard a kick last season. John Mosely gives Tulsa a potent return game. Last year he returned a kickoff 91 yards for a score against Air Force. -- John Crowley |
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