Tulsa Tops Tulane in Opener

Originally Published: Sep 5, 2009 8:18 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- The Tulsa quarterback situation looks to be in good hands. G.J. Kinne threw and ran for a touchdown in his debut for the Golden Hurricane.

Kinne sat out last season after transferring from the University of Texas but showed no signs of rust after not playing for a year. The sophomore went 15-of-20 for 211 yards and a score as well as gained 77 yards on 13 carries on the ground to go along with a touchdown in the Golden Hurricane’s 37-14 win over Tulane. Coach Todd Graham is more than settled on his signal caller.

“Thought G.J. Kinne really played well,” Graham said. “Managed the game really well, could flat run the football, a threat running the football out of the pocket.”

Damaris Johnson’s homecoming was equally impressive. Johnson grew up in suburban New Orleans and returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown, in the same stadium where he was named Louisiana Championship Game MVP after winning a state title. The sophomore racked up 252 all-purpose yards.

The game was only close before kickoff. Kinne’s 15-yard touchdown run put Tulsa up 10-0 in the first quarter. Linebacker Mike Bryan intercepted a Joe Kemp pass on the next series. That led to Charles Clay finding his way into the end zone from five yards out to put the Golden Hurricane up 17-0.

Tulane pulled to within 23-10 in the third quarter but never got closer than that. Tulsa travels to New Mexico next Saturday.