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TU Notebook: Rocky start

Tulsa defenders stop UTEP running back Jason Williams during a third-down play in the first half. VICTOR CALZADA/For the Tulsa World
 
By MIKE BROWN, World Sports Writer
Published: 10/22/2009  2:27 AM
Last Modified: 10/22/2009  6:17 AM

Once again, pass protection wasn't the Hurricane's strong suit in the first half. Quarterback G.J. Kinne went down twice in a three-play span of the second series and the Hurricane allowed a three sacks in the first half and five in the game. UTEP had made only four sacks all season.

TU entered the game 117th out of 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing 3.83 sacks per game.

Prime picks: TU defensive backs John Destin and Dexter McCoil kept the game close in the first half by intercepting UTEP's Trevor Vittatoe.

McCoil, a freshman, made his first collegiate interception with a diving grab in the end zone after the Miners had reached the Hurricane 5-yard line in the second quarter.

Later in the quarter from the TU 24, Vittatoe had a man open over the middle near the goal line but underthrew his intended receiver. Destin picked it off and returned it 33 yards.

Destin's interception was his fourth of the season, tying him for the C-USA lead with SMU's Rock Dennis, and the fifth of his Hurricane career.

1,000 club: Slick Shelley went over 1,000 receiving yards with a 42-yard catch in the third quarter. TU now has four active 1,000-yard career receivers. Shelley joins Charles Clay, Trae Johnson and Damaris Johnson.

Here's the kicker: Michael Such's 64-yard punt in the first quarter was his longest of the season but not the longest of his TU career. A junior, he had 69- and 66-yarders last year.

Such also had a 48-yarder downed on the 1-yard line and a 44-yarder in the first half. He entered the game 26th nationally, averaging 42.8 yards per attempt.

In the fray: Sarah Thomas, the only female referee in major-college football, served as line judge for Wednesday's game, working along TU's sideline.

Thomas, from Pascagoula, Miss., is in her first season as a full-time Conference USA official. She worked her first major-college game Sept. 15, 2007, when Jacksonville State played at Memphis.

Raising awareness: The Miners observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month by recognizing breast cancer survivors during halftime of Wednesday's game. Honorees included Kim Stull, wife of UTEP athletic director Bob Stull, and Pam Stevens, wife of former Miners star quarterback Bill Stevens.

Pink lapel ribbons were passed out to spectators entering the stadium. UTEP's players wore pink shoelaces and Miner coaches wore special hats commemorating the occasion.

Tulsa's players are wearing pink-ribbon stickers on their helmets this season.

Home sweet home: After playing five of its first seven games on the road, the Hurricane play three straight home games. Four of TU's final five are at home.

Tulsa hosts SMU on Oct. 31 for Homecoming, followed by Houston (Nov. 7) and East Carolina (Nov. 15). The Hurricane visits Southern Miss on Nov. 21 and ends the regular season hosting Memphis on Nov. 27.

TV time: Wednesday's game was TU's sixth of the season on national or regional television and the third on ESPN. The network televised TU's 37-13 win at Tulane on Sept. 4, and last week's 28-21 loss to Boise State. ESPN will also televise the East Carolina game on Nov. 15.

For starters: Senior cornerback Kenny D. Sims made his 28th consecutive start in Wednesday's game. Senior guard Curt Puckett made his 27th consecutive start and senior linebacker Mike Bryan made his 20th.
By MIKE BROWN, World Sports Writer

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sportswriter, (10/22/2009 11:56:06 AM)
This is the article that tells "what's wrong" with the team. Following injuries to Tyler Homes and Clint Anderson, TU is playing just one experienced O-lineman (Pucket) from last season, starting 2 true fresman and a juco transfer. These 19 year olds are doing about the best they can until the experienced players return. Check the past few seasons: giving up 28 points has been no problem for the high-powered offense. BUT there is no way the best QB and RBs in nation are going to score what TU fans have become used to when the QB spends the game running for his life (TU may now be nation's leader in giving up QB sacks). Having worked thousands of games during my career, I'm saddened to read the postings of the "band wagon" gang looking to cast blame on people who are playing their hearts out. Where were they when Heisman QB winner Andre Ware was praising Herb Hand and TU players with his true EXPERT knowledge. How many times did Ware point out the true problem - inexperienced O-line..... When I read the misguided postings from the "band wagon gang" I vividly recall, after a loss when Alabama fans booed the Tide, hearing Bear Bryant on TV, pointing his finger at the camera and bellowing, "YOU FAIR-WEATHER FANS. WE DON'T NEED YOUR KIND. IF YOU'RE NOT WITH US WHEN WE LOSE, WE DON'T WANT YOU WHEN WE WIN." ..Think about it, true TU fans. if you want to say something, pray for Homes and Anderson to get well and for the kids to play beyond their experience.
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tulsandn, out in the woods (10/22/2009 3:41:02 PM)
The Tulsa QB doesn't run for his life, HE STANDS THERE & GETS HIT or curls up & gets hit, either or....
 

 
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