TU report card

BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Sunday, November 25, 2012
11/25/12 at 6:04 AM

Offense

C: In no previous Conference USA game had Hurricane quarterback Cody Green attempted more than 39 passes. Against SMU he established career-high totals for attempts (64), completions (36) and passing yards (413). He passed for three touchdowns, but also committed two turnovers - an interception and a fumble, each of which led to a Mustang touchdown. Ultimately, the Hurricane was undone by the turnovers. Tulsa finished with 591 total yards and a program-record total of 103 offensive plays. On 24 first-half rushing attempts, TU netted only 72 yards. The run game was better after halftime - 14 attempts for 106 yards.

Defense

C: In spite of a 28-6 halftime deficit, the Tulsa defense wasn't bad during the first half. SMU went to halftime with an ordinary total of 171 yards, and 74 of those yards were gained on a quarterback keeper by Garrett Gilbert. The middle of the field was wide open, and SMU coach June Jones capitalized with a brilliant play-call as Gilbert took the shotgun snap and raced downfield without hesitation. Gilbert had rushed for only 137 yards all season. SMU wound up with a modest total of 305 total yards, but did rush for 192. Tulsa's most pronounced defensive failure occurred during SMU's first possession of the second half, after a Hurricane drive stalled at the Mustang 5. The Mustangs converted on a third-and-10 and a third-and-4 before concluding a 95-yard, 14-play drive with a Zach Line TD. With a touchdown drive of seven minutes and 40 seconds - when TU desperately needed a stop - SMU had taken a 35-6 lead.

Special teams

F: With 1:44 remaining in the first quarter, SMU's Ja'Gared Davis crashed through the Hurricane's punt protection to block a kick by Cole Way. The loose ball was recovered by SMU's Derek Longoria and returned to the Tulsa 3-yard line. On the next play, Zach Line scored a touchdown and SMU took a 7-0 lead. After the Hurricane stumbled to a 21-0 deficit, Tulsa finally drove for a touchdown - but freshman kicker Daniel Schwarz was wide right on the point-after attempt. It was Schwarz's sixth extra-point miss of the season. Tulsa's Trey Watts mishandled a bounced punt, but the ball rolled out of bounds and TU retained possession. During the fourth quarter, after SMU mishandled a punt, TU had a clear shot at a recovery but failed.

Associated Images:

Tulsa offensive lineman Brian DeShane lies on the turf with a leg injury that will likely end his season. Looking on is teammate Jake Alexander. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World

Jordan James brings down a pass over SMU's Chris Parks during the second half Saturday. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World