July 30, 2007

Tulsa, Okla. - Free Live Video of CSTV's Coverage of C-USA Media Blitz

Some things change. Some things remain the same. A new coaching staff is the most obvious difference for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

The other most notable change in 2007 will occur on the offensive side of the ball with the "no-huddle spread" offense, while Tulsa's 3-3-5 defense remains the same from a year ago when the Hurricane led Conference USA in total defense, allowing its opponents just 296 yard per game.

This seasons Hurricane team is led by first-year Head Coach Todd Graham. It may be his first season as head coach, but he's a familiar face to Tulsa players. Graham helped rejuvenate the Tulsa program as defensive coordinator fro 2003-2005, when the Hurricane made two bowl game appearances in three years.

"Our focus in coming back to the University of Tulsa is that we're going to take this program to the next level," said Graham. "We want to be conference champions, bowl champions and ultimately we want to be BCS champions. That's our mission."

Graham inherits 36 lettermen and 11 starters to a team that finished with an overall 8-5 record and its third bowl game in four seasons.

On offense, Tulsa returns just four starters, but six other players who started at least one game last year. The Tulsa offense was second in C-USA last year in total offense with 388 yards and second in scoring offense at 27.7 points per game.

With the implementation of the "no-huddle spread" offense, those numbers are expected to increase in 2007.

"We want to throw the ball vertically down the field, we want to stretch the field horizontally and vertically and pound it inside, but everything that we do we'll do it aggressively while maintaining great protection of the football," said Graham. "We want to be a physical, aggressive, attacking, wide-open offense that takes care of the football and does not suffer stupid penalties. Our goal is to be the top scoring team in Conference USA and the country."

The Hurricane offense will have a veteran leading the way in the likes of senior Paul Smith. He already ranks second on the school's career passing and total offense charts and adapted well to the new offense during spring drills.

"The key to running a complex offense is that we have to have smart guys, and the most important is that we have a smart quarterback. A guy that manages the game, takes care of the football, doesn't put the ball in jeopardy, a coach on the field and a guy that leads our offense, and that's why I'm so excited about Paul Smith," added Graham.

Not only does the Hurricane have experience, talent and depth at quarterback, but the running back position possesses the same with senior Courtney Tennial and junior Tarrion Adams. The duo combined to rush for 1,174 yards and added 543 receiving yards last year.

"I think we have two of the best running backs in Conference USA that really compliment each other in Courtney and Tarrion," said Graham.

"We're very, very deep and very, very talented at those positions. There's no question that quarterback and running back are the most talented spots on our offense," added Graham.

The offensive line and the wide receiver corps lost a lot to graduation after last season, but Graham was encouraged with the performance of both units during spring drills. While the tight end position with two returning lettermen also pleased the Tulsa coaching staff in the spring.

"The two areas of concern on offense is the offensive line and wide receiver, which were really depleted by graduation. But the thing I feel really good about is that we do have some veteran and physically talented players," said Graham.

Tulsa's defense returns 17 lettermen and six starters to a unit that ranked first in the league in total defense, second in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense and third in rushing defense.

"Defensively, the biggest difference this season is that we'll attack more than last year's team," said Graham. "We want to be much more aggressive in creating turnovers. Our number one goal is to be No. 1 in the country in forcing turnovers. Secondly, we want to be No. 1 in scoring defense and rush defense in C-USA and the nation."

Graham believes that the Hurricane has the makings defensively to reach those goals.

"We're really strong on the defensive line and I think we're even stronger at linebacker," added Graham. Upfront, Tulsa has three impressive figures returning to the lineup with nose guards Brandon Jones and Terrel Nemons, as well as end Moton Hopkins.

At linebacker, the Hurricane has two of the league's top players. "I think we have two of the best linebackers in Conference USA. Nelson Coleman and Chris Chamberlain are incredible football players at the linebacker position," said Graham.

Coleman and Chamberlain earned all-conference honors last year. Coleman was a first-team selection after leading the Hurricane in tackles for the second straight year with 98 stops, while Chamberlain earned third-team accolades after returning from off-season knee surgery.

The secondary returns nine lettermen, including starters Roy Roberts at cornerback and safety Anthony Germany. Senior safety Steve Craver has been impressive in the past, and is considered a returning starter by Graham.

"Anthony Germany and Steve Craver are outstanding football players at safety for us. Steve had an impressive spring and can be an impact player, while Anthony has big-play ability for sacks and tackles for lost yardage," said Graham.

Tulsa returns who Graham considers to be "one of the best kickers in Conference USA" in the likes of Jarod Tracy, and his numbers sure prove it. He connected on 91.7 percent of his field goals last year. "We're looking for Jarod to have a stellar year of putting points on the scoreboard," added Graham.

On Tuesday, the TU offense will be featured.