By BILL HAISTEN Sports Writer on Aug 27, 2012, at 5:19 PM Updated on 8/27 at 5:19 PM
TU SPORTS
Thanks to TU media-relations director Don Tomkalski for providing a comprehensive report from the university's Golden Cane ...
In advance of the 2012 football opener at Ames, the University of Tulsa was a 1½-point favorite over Iowa State.
The ...
No University of Tulsa players were selected during the three-day, seven-round NFL draft, but three Golden Hurricane seniors ...
Iowa State fans celebrate after the Cyclones upset previously undefeated Oklahoma State last season in Ames.
MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Before last year’s season-opening game at Oklahoma – then ranked No. 1 nationally – the University Tulsa was a 23-point underdog. The Golden Hurricane was jarred when its most prominent playmaker, Damaris Johnson, was suspended a few days before the Norman trip. OU hammered Tulsa 47-14.
This week, in advance of the Hurricane opener at Iowa State, TU is a 1½-point favorite. On this same Jack Trice Stadium grass last season, previously unbeaten Oklahoma State was upset and knocked out of the national championship picture. Iowa State has two experienced quarterbacks. TU has a new QB (Cody Green). From a team that played in the Pinstripe Bowl, the Cyclones seven returning starters on offense and two excellent linebackers – and yet TU is favored to record its first road win over a Big 12 opponent since 1996.
On Monday, both coaches discussed TU’s status as the favorite:
Iowa State’s Paul Rhoads: “Tulsa is the favorite. We’re the team that’s the underdog in this game. They’re the ones who were 7-0 late in the (2011) season in the (Conference USA) schedule. We’ve got all kinds of respect for Tulsa and their football program. They know how to win. We’ve prepared hard and will continue to do that this week.”
Tulsa’s Bill Blankenship: “Yeah, absolutely, I’m surprised (that TU is favored). I don’t know how all of that gets figured, but it was a surprise when I heard it and it’s still a surprise. I would have thought that the line might move by now.”
“When you get ready to roll, I don’t know that anybody is going to care whether you’re an underdog or a favorite,” Blankenship continued. “We know that it’s a huge challenge to win on the road. We know that this is (an Iowa State) team that has grown a lot under the leadership of coach Rhoads. Every year, they seem to get better and better.
“If you ask anybody in Tulsa, Okla., for a signature Iowa State win, they’d point to the Oklahoma State game last year. That’s what our guys remember.”
-- Bill Haisten
Only active print or digital subscribers of the Tulsa World are allowed to post comments on stories posted to Tulsaworld.com. After you fill out the form below and click submit, your comment will be published instantly online along with your screen name.
By clicking "Submit" you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.
