Last season, 19 Football Bowl Subdivision teams recorded at least 11 victories. Fifteen of those teams completed at least 60 percent of their pass attempts.
The exceptions – Ohio State at 58 percent, Notre Dame at 58 percent, Kent State at 55 percent and the University of Tulsa at 53 percent.
There was a time when a 50 percent passer was deemed effective. The standard for efficiency now is much higher. In 2012, there were 25 FBS teams that completed at least 65 percent of their throws.
The 2012 Golden Hurricane thrived – reigning as the Conference USA champion and finishing 11-3 – because it countered a below-average passing game with a rushing attack that averaged 245.7 yards per game.
So, what happened during TU’s 34-7, season-opening setback at Bowling Green? The passing game was bad (49 percent) and the run game was worse (51 yards, 2.1 per attempt).
The Hurricane’s longest run from scrimmage was 7 yards.
Even against a solid Bowling Green defense, no one expected 51 and 2.1 – or 34-7.
“We played like (bleep) tonight,” said Tulsa fifth-year senior quarterback Cody Green, who was 17-of-34 passing for 172 yards. On a 27-yard connection with Derek Patterson – on a play that occurred after TU trailed by 27 points – backup QB Dane Evans accounted for the only Hurricane touchdown.
During preseason camp, Green did show signs of having become a more consistent passer. Coach Bill Blankenship predicted that TU would be much better on 8- to 15-yard throws. But by halftime on Thursday, Green was 9-of-20 passing. On several occasions, there were open receivers and errant throws.
“I didn’t think he made the right decisions mentally that he’s usually so good at,” Blankenship said. “That part bothered me more than anything else.”
With guys like Keyarris Garrett, Jordan James and Keevan Lucas, Tulsa has too many weapons to settle for 50 percent passing. Lucas was brilliant during the preseason, but on Thursday he was a wasted resource. He had one catch.
Whether Green or Evans is at quarterback, can this team get to at least 60 percent? Blankenship already has said that Green will start in next Saturday’s home opener against Colorado State.
“I’ll prepare like I always do,” Evans said, “but Cody is our guy.”
From the 2012 roster, Tulsa lost two all-conference offensive tackles, a 50-start center and a 260-pound tailback who rushed for 24 TDs. Trey Watts and Ja’Terian Douglas are excellent backs, but they can’t function without an effective offensive line.
If the run game isn’t as dynamic this year as it was in 2012, how can Tulsa compensate? Obviously, with a greater level of efficiency in the passing game.
Bowling Green crowded defenders near the line of scrimmage, determined to stifle the TU runners while daring Green to make plays downfield.
The stifling happened. The downfield playmaking didn’t.
-- Bill Haisten
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