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Golden Hurricane routs New Mexico 44-10

Tulsa quarterback G.J. Kinne looks for a receiver during the Hurricane's game against New Mexico. CRAIG FRITZ/For the Tulsa World
 
By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Published: 9/12/2009  7:55 PM
Last Modified: 9/13/2009  12:16 AM
Poll question: TU has held its first two opponents to a total of 23 points. Will TU hold OU to 23 or less this week in Norman?


ALBUQUERQUE — Tulsa’s high-powered offense has drawn much of the limelight during the past three seasons.

Quarterbacks and wide receivers may lose some star power as the Golden Hurricane defense shined for the second straight game.

A workmanlike effort by the defense helped power Tulsa to a 44-10 victory over New Mexico before 30,051 fans at University Stadium.

How dominating was the defense? It allowed just six first downs, had five sacks and produced three turnovers against an overwhelmed New Mexico offense. Last week, TU allowed 13 points and had 13 tackles for loss in a 37-13 win at Tulane.

“We want people to start noticing that we have a good defense,” linebacker Curnelius Arnick said. “The offense is going to do what it is going to do, and with a good defense, the team is going to be good.”

Tulsa coach Todd Graham watched the game from the press box. The third-year coach, who is suffering from chronic neck pain, almost made the move last week.

“We’re 2-0 and we’re excited,” Graham said. “I’m really proud of our defense to not give up a touchdown all night. ”

The unit had to carry an offense that started sluggishly. TU had only 60 total yards and two first downs in its first four possessions.

Graham said quarterback G.J. Kinne wasn’t fazed by the slow beginning.

“He is a good quarterback,” Graham said. “He is really calm, cool and collected. He is a leader who his teammates look to. He is a playmaker. He can throw the football.”

Tulsa led 7-3 after the first quarter, with points set up by a special teams play. Jamad Williams forced a fumble on a punt return, and the Hurricane capped a short 16-yard drive with Charles Clay’s 1-yard touchdown run.

Kinne found his rhythm in the second quarter. He led one scoring drive that ended with Kevin Fitzpatrick’s 36-yard field goal and threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Trae Johnson with 38 seconds left. TU led 17-3 at halftime.

“(The offense) was going to come,” Kinne said. “We have a great system. We had some good plays called but didn’t get the breaks. In the second half, we came out and played really well.”

Kinne ended 22-of-35 passing for 310 yards. He threw four touchdown passes and led the team in rushing (53 yards) for the second straight week.

Kinne found Williams on a 21-yard scoring pass and added a 17-yard TD throw to Slick Shelley to make it 30-3 after three quarters.

TU’s defense dominated in the second and third quarters. It allowed no first downs and only 40 yards during that span.

The unit, which also had 10 tackles for loss, had three fumble recoveries and an interception, which led to two touchdowns.

“The more takeaways and (tackles for loss) we have, the more chances we’ll have to win,” Arnick said.

New Mexico’s Kendall Briscoe didn’t sugarcoat his team’s performance.

“It’s simple — not enough stops on defense, too many big plays we gave up and no big plays on offense,” the senior said.

“I think the defense corrected quite a few things (from last week’s 41-6 loss at Texas A&M), but we still had a few instances where we need to get off the field on third downs,” Lobos coach Mike Locksley said.

The Lobos’ lone TD came when Kinne fumbled after being sacked. New Mexico’s Tray Hardaway scooped up the football and raced 92 yards for a touchdown.

“We hated to give that up for the defense,” Graham said.

Up next is a game at nationally ranked Oklahoma.

“They’re a great team and we’re going into a hostile environment,” Shelley said. “We have to have a good week of preparation and hopefully go in there and give them a good game.”

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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10 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
noveds, (9/12/2009 10:18:22 PM)
I hope TU destroys the BCS formula this year and goes down in history as one of the factors we hopefully have an NCAA playoff.
Report Comment
Rocketman, Tulsa (9/12/2009 10:38:49 PM)
OU next week, I am glad they were not looking ahead and took care of business against NM. Good job Coaches and players!
Report Comment
2ndjoyce, BA (9/12/2009 11:16:39 PM)
Who could have guessed it would be TU sitting all alone at 2-0? Not OU. Not OSU. Don't you just love it? Go TU!
Report Comment
#1kinnefan, Owasso (9/12/2009 11:21:16 PM)
watch out ou gj and the boys are coming for you, GO CANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
T!ger,, Tulsa (9/12/2009 11:30:51 PM)
hahahahaha! Some of you just make my day! Tulsa is doing real good and I hope the best for them for I also live in Tulsa and would want my own city team to win but they aren't going to win the OU game. OU will win this one guys.

BOOMER SOONER GO GET EM GUYS!!!
Report Comment
SRV, (9/12/2009 11:47:40 PM)
Right on!
Report Comment
huricandeoro, (9/12/2009 11:49:33 PM)
If the TU o-line doesn't have a drastic improvement between this week and next OU will run us off the field.
Report Comment
Bonasera the Undertaker, Brooklyn (9/13/2009 12:44:37 AM)
T.U. rocks!
Report Comment
zephyr, Tulsa (9/13/2009 5:57:26 AM)
I want OU to overlook TU. OSU did this yesterday as well. One word can be used for both OU and OSU - overrated!
Report Comment
ktulsafan, Houston (9/13/2009 9:18:18 AM)
Zephyr, I think you are wrong about OU and OSU being over rated. The fact is that Tulsa is UNDER RATED.............also Houston.
 

 
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