Tulsa World: TU Notebook: Low turnout

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TU Notebook: Low turnout

FOR KICKS
Kevin Fitzgerald: His 51-yard field goal in the third quarter was the longest in his Hurricane career.

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/16/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/16/2009 6:38 AM

What kept the fans away from the University of Tulsa campus and Chapman Stadium for Sunday's game?

Was it the rainy weather, Tulsa's losing streak, the rare Sunday evening starting time or ESPN's telecast of the game?

For whatever reason, the stands were only a fraction full for the 7:32 p.m. kickoff and nearly empty when the Hurricane trailed 20-7 at halftime.

The official attendance of 17,453 was the lowest in the newly remodeled stadium since it was dedicated last season.

Here's the kicker: Kevin Fitzpatrick boomed a 51-yard field goal, longest of his Hurricane career, in the third quarter.

Fitzpatrick's previous long field goal was a 41-yarder at Alabama-Birmingham as a freshman last season.

He also kicked a 41-yarder in the first half Sunday night, but the points were taken off the board when East Carolina was flagged for running into Fitzpatrick on the play, giving the Hurricane a first down.

Lost points: TU failed to score on the possession when G.J. Kinne's apparent 23-yard touchdown run was nullified by a holding penalty against freshman center Trent Dupy.

Kinne threw incomplete on third-and-24 from ECU's 33-yard line, and the Hurricane punted on the next play.

Missing in action: The Hurricane played without two of its top receivers for the second straight game.

Junior A.J. Whitmore was held out of action after missing last week with a concussion suffered the week of the Houston game. He did not suit.

Senior receiver Slick Shelley, injured in the first quarter of the Houston game, was suited but did not play.

Touchdown maker: TU freshman Ricky Johnson made his second career TD reception and the second in as many weeks, hauling in a 14-yarder from Kinne with 22 seconds left in the first half.

Moving up: With his first two kickoff returns totaling 67 yards, TU sophomore receiver Damaris Johnson moved from eighth to sixth place on C-USA's career kickoff return chart.

Big-play defender: TU strong safety James Lockett made first contact when the Hurricane stopped a third-and-4 running play from the TU 13 to force a first-quarter field goal.

Lockett also forced his third fumble of the season and eighth of his career in the second quarter.

Up next: Southern Miss is still in the running for C-USA's East Division title. The Hurricane visits Hattiesburg next Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. contest televised by CBS College Sports (Cox cable 249).

Tulsa won its last visit to Hattiesburg, 34-17 in 2005, a game that set the Hurricane on the path to that year's C-USA title.

With Saturday's win at Marshall, USM (6-4, 4-2) became bowl eligible for the eighth straight year. Junior quarterback Martevious Young threw two TD passes and has eight since taking over for starter Austin Davis, who was lost for the year with a foot injury at Alabama-Birmingham on Oct. 1.

USM is coached by Larry Fedora, the former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator, in his second year at the helm.

For starters: Senior cornerback Kenny D. Sims made his 31st consecutive start Saturday. Senior guard Curt Puckett made his 30th consecutive start, and senior linebacker Mike Bryan made his 23rd. By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

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