Tulsa World: TU hopes Houston is springboard

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TU hopes Houston is springboard
Hurricane bidding to end three-game skid.

TU's Slick Shelley and G.J. Kinne celebrate a TD against Boise State. Kinne will start Saturday against Houston despite suffering a concussion last week. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Published: 11/7/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/7/2009 6:18 AM

Tulsa's football season is teetering on the brink.

A team that dreamed of a Conference USA championship will play a back-against-the-wall game against No. 13 Houston at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

Win and the Hurricane could take a giant leap back into league contention. Lose and a fifth consecutive bowl appearance will be in serious jeopardy.

The scope of this year's rivalry game is obvious.

"Definitely, this is a must-win," Tulsa cornerback John Destin said before repeating. "Definitely."

The current three-game losing streak dented Tulsa's postseason hopes. Throw in a quarterback change during last week's loss to SMU, and the offense appears to be searching for its identity eight games into the season.

Coach Todd Graham announced 48 hours after the defeat that starter G.J. Kinne suffered a concussion on the third play of the SMU game. The concussion wasn't diagnosed until Sunday.

Graham added that a healthy Kinne will remain the starter against Houston over Jacob Bower, who led TU on a pair of scoring drives against the Mustangs.

Hurricane wide receiver Damaris Johnson said the team does not have a quarterback controversy.

"G.J. Kinne is our quarterback," Johnson said. "The game didn't turn out the way we wanted it to at all, but he's our quarterback. We have to rally around him and keep his confidence up and let him know that we are behind him.

"As receivers, running backs and offensive linemen, we have to make plays

around him and make his job easier."

Johnson was also asked about Bower, who completed 9 of 22 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown.

"When he is our quarterback, we have the same confidence in him," Johnson said. "On Saturday, he showed what he can really do."

Tulsa (4-4 overall, 2-2 in C-USA) will have to try to get well against a Houston team that has no quarterback problem.

The Cougars (7-1, 3-1) are led by Heisman Trophy candidate Case Keenum, who has torched opposing secondaries all season.

The junior leads the nation in total offense (420.9 yards per game) passing yards (411.6) and touchdown passes (25).

"There's no question that they have the most prolific offense in the country right now," Graham said. "Their quarterback is like having an offensive coordinator on the field. He makes unbelievable decisions and can run. He's tremendous, and they have great skill players."

Houston coach Kevin Sumlin also praised Keenum.

"When you have a quarterback like that, it gives your team confidence and their coaching staff confidence that your play-calling can be a little different because he knows what to do with the ball and how to use the clock," Sumlin said. "Everybody feels like you have a chance to win."

The series has been strange during the past two seasons. Even though the teams seemed evenly matched in the meetings, the home squad dominated both games. Tulsa won 56-7 in 2007 and Houston captured a 70-30 victory last season.

The 40-point loss was hard to digest for the Hurricane.

"It adds to the fire a lot," Destin said. "That's what happened to Houston last year when we were coming off our win in 2007. I think that added to their fire and you saw the outcome.

"I'm looking forward to having that same fire burn here in Tulsa and go out there and try to get a win."

Redemption will be on Tulsa's minds, but it won't be a priority.

Getting a victory will be most important.

"This is a critical game for us," Johnson said. "We are on a three-game losing streak, and it happens to be that Houston is our next opponent.

"We are just really trying to break this losing streak and get back on track because no one thought we would be 4-4 right now."

TU Gameday tips

Admission: Tickets are $15, $25, $35.

Stadium entry: Season ticket holders and other visitors are requested to enter through Gates 1, 1A, 2, 3, 5, 6A and 7.

Will Call: General Will Call tickets can be picked up at the Reynolds Center ticket office. TU Player Pass Will Call is Gate 2, and visitors’ Will Call is Gate 6.

Re-entry Policy: Hand stamps are available at any gate. Any person leaving the stadium other than with a credential must have his or her hand stamped and must show their admittance stub to be re-admitted.

Emergencies: A first-aid station is located in the southwest corner of H.A. Chapman Stadium.

EMSA is also present. Should an emergency arise, ask the nearest usher for assistance. The emergency phone number for is 918-631-3664.

Telephones: There are no public pay phones in the stadium.

ATM: An ATM is located underneath the west stands in Section 116 of Thomas Plaza.

Restrooms: Located underneath the east-side stands and next to the concessions stands on Thomas Plaza on the west side.

Lost and Found: Lost and found items can be dropped off and claimed at the Security Command Post on the west side of the stadium, next to the press box elevators.

Prohibited Items: The following items are prohibited: firearms or weapons, camcorders, umbrellas, folding chairs, outside food and beverage containers, alcoholic beverages, thermos jugs, and ice chests. Artificial noisemakers are prohibited.

Heightened security measures are in effect. Random bag and purse checks will occur.

Banners: Must be approved the week before the game. Any banners not approved may be removed.

Eric Bailey 581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com. By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer

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	Report Comment Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (11/7/2009 2:35:09 PM) Hoping the game is a good one...fearing it won't be.
	Report Comment FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (11/7/2009 8:56:37 AM) Tulsa needing their "A" game today is an understatement.

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