TU football notebook: Fall break
BY MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/22/12 at 3:44 AM
With the students out of class all week for the Thanksgiving holiday, the University of Tulsa football team decided to take advantage.
The team moved practices to the morning to try and mirror its 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday at Southern Methodist University.
"We're trying to get our body clocks going," said TU coach Bill Blankenship.
After the early practice Thursday, the players are encouraged to spend time with friends and family.
"Near half of our roster is from Oklahoma, and at least half the Oklahoma kids are from the metro area. Most of those guys will be taking friends home for Thanksgiving and making sure we get a little time with the families. I think that's a neat deal," Blankenship said.
Senior recognition: Game balls from TU's win over Central Florida were awarded to all eight senior starters on defense - ends Cory Dorris and Jared St. John, tackles Derrick Jackson and Daeshon Bufford, linebacker DeAundre Brown, safety Dexter McCoil and cornerbacks John Flanders and Lowell Rose.
"It was an outstanding defensive performance. Not to take away from the underclassmen, but that's a special group of eight seniors on senior day," Blankenship said. "I wanted to make sure those guys were honored along with the five seniors on our offensive line."
Blankenship pointed out that the three seniors on the offensive line - Trent Dupy, Jared Grigg and Brian DeShane - have played every meaningful snap this season.
Running back Alex Singleton and H-back Willie Carter were also recognized.
"We just think that's a special group. A lot of them have played hurt. They've played through a lot of tough times and it's a big, big deal," Blankenship said.
