TU Notebook: Green update

BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Monday, October 08, 2012
10/08/12 at 4:48 AM

During a first-half run play at Marshall, Tulsa quarterback Cody Green sustained an injury to his right shoulder - his throwing shoulder. Green finished the game and connected on important passes as the Golden Hurricane rallied for a 45-38 victory.

On Sunday, TU coach Bill Blankenship described the injury as a bruise and predicted that Green will start in Thursday's Conference USA meeting with UTEP (7 p.m., H.A. Chapman Stadium, Fox Sports Network).

The 5-1 Hurricane enters with a five-game win streak, while UTEP is 1-5 overall, 0-2 in the conference.

"(Green) had to have treatment at halftime," Blankenship said on Sunday. "I'm encouraged that all of our guys finished the game - including Cody - so I would be shocked if he's not able to play. I think he will. He's a tough guy."

In part because his shoulder was sore, and partly because TU's run game churned for 250 yards and three Alex Singleton touchdowns, Green's passing numbers were modest: 9-of-17 for 90 yards, with one TD and no interceptions. For the first time since 2004, Tulsa did not have a single-game total of at least 100 passing yards.

"Cody was very satisfied to work within the system we had for the day," Blankenship said. "I don't think, if you were to give him truth serum, that he says he wants to throw it only 18 or 20 times a game. He'd like to be a little more active, but he understands the team concept. He's all about it."

Leading the way: At 3-0 in league play, TU is Conference USA's West Division leader. The Hurricane is the only C-USA team with more than three wins overall.

Associated Images:

Tulsa quarterback Cody Green carries the ball against Marshall during Saturday's game in Huntington, W.Va. RANDY SNYDER / for the Tulsa World