Five Tulsa Players Named to C-USA Coaches Preseason Team

Originally Published: Jul 21, 2010 4:18 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas -- Five Tulsa football players were named to the 2010 Conference USA Preseason First-Team selected by the league’s coaches and announced Wednesday. Three special teams players were named to the team. One player on offense and defense have been recognized.

Damaris Johnson earned a spot on the team as a punt returner, while kicker Kevin Fitzpatrick and senior punter Michael Such also received nods. Offensive tackle Tyler Holmes was named to the offensive team for the second straight preseason and Cory Dorris was selected on defense.

Johnson led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 2009 and led the Golden Hurricane in kick return, punt return and receiving yards last year. He needs 60 more yards to surpass Jason Jacoby to become Tulsa’s career kickoff return yardage leader, and 432 yards to move into first place on the C-USA career chart.

Fitzpatrick converted 13-of-14 field goals last year, while also hitting 42-of-44 PATs for 81 points. He ranked second in Conference USA for field goal percentage at 92.9-percent and averaged 62.0 yards on his kick-offs.

Such punted 57 times last year for a 44.5 average to rank third among Conference USA punters. Such hit the third-longest punt in school history with an 83-yarder.

He comes into the season with a 42.3 career average and has placed 30 career punts inside the 20-yard line.

Holmes has played and started in 20 games at left tackle for the Hurricane offense. He missed six games last year with a leg injury.

Dorris started all 12 games last year and was named to the C-USA all-freshman team at defensive end. He was credited with 54 tackles, 5.5 stops for -22 yards, three sacks for -18 yards, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He was also selected to the Collegefootballnews.com honorable mention all-freshman team.