TU Notebook: Two quarterbacks

BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Saturday, September 29, 2012
9/29/12 at 4:14 AM

Junior Jonathan Perry is expected to start at quarterback for UAB, but University of Tulsa defenders are prepared for the likelihood of an appearance by redshirt freshman Austin Brown.

Perry is a dual-threat QB. Brown is a pure passer who has completed 64 percent of his attempts. Against Ohio State last week, he was 21-of-35 for 196 yards.

"These past few weeks, we have basically been preparing for two quarterbacks for each team. Because you never know what could happen in the game," TU senior safety Dexter McCoil said. "Whether it's a wildcat, regular passer, dual-threat quarterback - it doesn't matter. Both of (UAB's) quarterbacks are good.

"They both have good athleticism and good arms. They can both throw the ball well. So we just have to prepare to the best of our ability and try to get the job done."

TU coach Bill Blankenship also described Brown as being an effective passer, but the Blazers have struggled to score points. Through three games, UAB has only four offensive touchdowns.

TU vs. the East: When matched with members of Conference USA's East Division, the Golden Hurricane has an overall record of 18-6 - 17-4 during the regular season and 1-2 in C-USA championship games.

Three East teams - UAB, Marshall and UCF - are on the Hurricane's 2012 schedule. Last season, Tulsa defeated all three.

Quick strikes: Through its first four games, Tulsa has seven drives that lasted less than one minute. Against Nicholls State, the Golden Hurricane posted scoring possessions of 59, 34 and 29 seconds.

Defensive rankings: TU remains No. 1 nationally in tackles for loss with 39 and No. 2 in sacks with 19.

The Hurricane now has three defenders who have career totals of at least 200 tackles. Senior safety Dexter McCoil has 250, while senior linebacker DeAundre Brown has 220 and junior linebacker Shawn Jackson has 200.

In unassisted tackles, Brown is No. 3 nationally with an average of 7.25 per game.

2 p.m. Saturday

Legion Field

Radio: KRMG-102.3/740, KITO-96.1, KRIG-104.9, KUSH-1600, KOKL-1240.

Weather: Kickoff temperature of 81 degrees and a 40 percent chance of showers.

Records: Tulsa 3-1 overall, 1-0 Conference USA; UAB 0-3, 0-0.

Last meeting: Last year, Tulsa defeated UAB 37-20 at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

Series: Tulsa leads 3-0.