Tulsa, UTEP to tangle in Battle of CUSA West unbeatens

The Golden Hurricane has started 6-0 for the first time since 1942

As second year Tulsa coach Todd Graham stated following Saturday’s scare at SMU, every team that hopes to go undefeated has to win close games like his team did in Dallas.

The Golden Hurricane (6-0 overall, 3-0 CUSA) trailed June Jones’ Mustangs, who fell to 1-6 with the loss, 31-24 with just under ten minutes to play despite amassing over 500 yards through three quarters. However, Tulsa then took a gamble by faking a quick kick and throwing a fade on fourth and 21 at the SMU 33. The result was a 33-yard touchdown pass from David Johnson to Trae Johnson and a tie ballgame following the PAT. TU seized the momentum and scored the winning touchdown about a minute later after it intercepted a pass in Mustang territory.

Tulsa’s offense, which leads the nation in points (53.2) and yards (597) per game, produced over 600 yards for the fourth time this season, but was limited to its lowest point total (37) of the year by SMU. The Golden Hurricane’s attack is dangerously diverse. It possesses the nation’s sixth best passing offense (339 ypg), but also the seventh best running game (258 ypg). TU is converting over 60 percent of its third down opportunities.

David Johnson, who replaced departed dual threat and 2007 Co-CUSA Offensive Player of the Year Paul Smith, has performed extremely well in his first season as the starting signal-caller. Johnson, who is seventh nationally in total offense, has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 1,963 yards. He has thrown 26 touchdown passes while only being intercepted seven times.

Johnson has many viable options in the passing game. Charles Clay (17-250) leads the team with six touchdown catches. Tennessee transfer Slick Shelley (18-337) and Damaris Johnson (20-320) have five scores apiece. Brennan Morris, who has a team-high 22 receptions, averages nearly 24 yards per catch.

On the ground, Tarrion Adams produced a third straight 100-yard game versus SMU. For the season, Adams has accumulated 519 yards (5.6 ypc) and three touchdowns. He currently ranks second all-time in rushing at Tulsa with 2,647 yards.

There isn’t much pressure on your defense when you receive the support Tulsa’s does. The Golden Hurricane’s defense ranks 101 st nationally (422.8 ypg) and allows nearly 26 points per contest. Opponents have converted 45 percent of their third downs, but the unit has produced 14 takeaways—which makes TU is 26 th in the nation in turnover margin. Tulsa has also excelled at pressuring the quarterback, as they rank 38 th nationally in sacks.

Mike Bryan leads Tulsa with 47 tackles—including four behind the line. Charles Davis, Roy Roberts and DeAundre Brown are tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Defensive end Un’tavious Scott was the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week on October 4th versus Rice.

After losing six straight to conclude the 2007 campaign with a disappointing 4-8 mark, UTEP dropped the first three games of this season. However, Mike Price’s Miners have evened their mark at 3-3 following their 24-21 fourth quarter comeback win against Tulane. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Vittatoe hooked up with Jeff Moturi for the game-winning 68-yard touchdown.

Vittatoe leads an offense that is putting up nearly 31 points per contest. He has only completed 56.3 percent of his attempts, but he has thrown for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns (to only four interceptions).

Moturi, who had four catches for 88 yards against Tulane, leads the team with 23 receptions. Jamar Hunt (21-239) and Kris Adams (17-313) are other top targets.

The Miners have managed to rush for 100 yards or more in each of their last five games. The ground game has been by committee with Terrell Jackson (218 yards), Vernon Frazier (147), James Thomas II (206) and Donald Buckram (184) have all made significant contributions to the effort.

Defensively, UTEP is giving up 31.5 points and 423 yards. Tulane rushed for 318 yards in Saturday night’s losing effort. However, they too, have forced 14 turnovers. Junior Cornelius Brown has a team-high three interceptions. Senior linebacker and Arizona State transfer Adam Vincent has made a team-leading 55 tackles in his second season in El Paso.

UTEP has only scored touchdowns on slightly over half (13-of-25) of its possessions in the red zone. For the chances they don’t capitalize on, the Miners possess the reliable Jose Martinez. Martinez, who kicked the second longest field goal in NCAA history earlier this year when he hit a 64-yarder in the Miners’ 58-13 rout of UCF at the Sun Bowl, is 11-of-15 on the year. He is 10-of-11 on attempts under 50 yards.

The Miners can’t afford much work for Martinez in this one. They will need to put the ball in the end zone more consistently. UTEP’s defense will only be able to slow Tulsa’s offense down but so much.

Vittatoe and company will have a big day, but the Golden Hurricane’s offensive dominance will continue as it will blow through another defense in Skelly Stadium on Saturday.

Tulsa 48 - UTEP 31