Tulsa World: Skillens steps in and helps Tulsa

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Skillens steps in and helps Tulsa
Freshman receiver takes advantage of playing time.

Tulsa wide receiver Justin Skillens. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/13/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/13/2009 6:39 AM

Justin Skillens was feeling the heat. He needed to make a play.

Fans of the former Booker T. Washington football standout wondered when he was going to start contributing more as a University of Tulsa freshman.

"Because I have the local influence, a lot of people I know were giving me trouble about that," Skillens said with a chuckle.

Skillens' chance came last Saturday and he made his first collegiate pass reception on a 21-yarder from G.J. Kinne in the Hurricane's 46-45 loss to Houston.

Coach Todd Graham also praised Skillens for his blocking. Graham praised all three freshman receivers.

Skillens, Ricky Johnson and Freeman Kelley have played before, but the Hurricane needed them more than ever because junior A.J. Whitmore was sidelined by a concussion and senior Slick Shelley was injured early in the game.

"It's unfortunate to have your teammate get hurt, but when I got called on, I just tried to go out there and help the team," Skillens said.

Johnson made his first collegiate TD reception while Kelley registered his first collegiate catch.

"Ricky was really excited. Freeman had some good catches and blocking downfield. Justin Skillens was stellar on his blocking, which was great to see," Graham said. "Those guys did have puppy dog eyes, but now they have a different look on their face."

Up to now, the Hurricane has relied on its veteran receiving quartet of Trae Johnson and Damaris Johnson, Shelley and Whitmore.

The developing

freshmen give the Hurricane the promise of more depth. That's just what they delivered when Shelley went down.

Ricky Johnson was in the right spot at the time time to catch a deflected pass for a 23-yard gain in the second quarter and caught a 15-yard TD pass from Kinne in the same drive.

Silver lining: The three freshman receivers also improve the outlook for the future.

Whatever happens in the final three weeks of the season, the Hurricane should have a dynamite offense next year when it loses only Shelley and offensive guard Curt Puckett from the unit that produced a season-high 534 yards against the Cougars.

That's fine, Kinne said, but the future is now.

"We're really just focused on this year and East Carolina. It's a huge game for us and we have to come up with a peak performance or we're not gonna win," he said.

Coaching shuffle: Gus Malzahn has been mentioned for coaching vacancies at Memphis and Western Kentucky but says he's comfortable as Auburn's offensive coordinator.

"I'm flattered if my name gets thrown around, I guess, but I'm extremely happy here," Malzahn told the Birmingham News.

Tulsa led the nation in total offense with Malzahn as its offensive coordinator the past two years.

Memphis dismissed coach Tommy West after Saturday's 56-28 loss at Tennessee, dropping the Tigers to 2-7.

West will stay on to coach the final three games. Memphis ends the regular season at Tulsa on Nov. 27.

Mike Brown 581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

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	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/14/2009 1:35:35 AM) Now that is what I call planning for the future. What skilllen's. Hois name and number will be heard from often in the future.
	Report Comment CABT, Tulsa (11/13/2009 10:58:03 AM) Good job Skillens!!!

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