TU Football: Lucas' Breakout Performance Gives Hurricane A Major Threat

In Tulsa's season-opening 38-31 double-overtime win over Tulane, we saw plenty of things we expected. We were also witnesses to some breakout performances.

Dane Evans, making his debut as the full-time starting quarterback, showed unique toughness as he led the Golden Hurricane out of a 14-0 hole to a win, but even Evans wasn't the game's top story.

Sophomore receiver Keevan Lucas put on a display, hauling in 13 balls for 233 yards and three touchdowns. His 233 yards led the nation, as did his three touchdowns. His 13 grabs was second to Texas A&M's Malcome Kennedy, who hauled in 14.

It's safe to say that if Lucas keeps this up, he'll be taking home the Heisman.

Now while that probably won't happen, he might just help TU form one of the more dangerous passing attacks in the country.

Keyarris Garett, who missed most of last season with an injury, made his highly-anticipated return to the receiving corps and didn't disappoint. Garrett grabbed five balls for 87 yards while the Tulane defense was draped all over him.

“Most of the second half they played zone against us and really tried to kind of change up their game plan a little bit,” TU coach Bill Blankenship said. “And I think that was because they needed to make sure they were getting some help over on Keyarris a little bit.”

Garrett is Tulsa's No. 1 guy, regardless of statistics. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Garrett has a physical edge on almost anyone defending him. He knows how to high-point the football and requires extra help to cover.

That's where Lucas comes in. Most defenses are going to have serious problems covering a physical beast like Garrett along with a speedster like Lucas, along with trying to slow the Hurricane's ground game.

For TU, it's going to be about force-feeding Lucas the ball.

“I think we have to find ways to keep him in the game and to give him opportunities to run after a catch or after a reverse,” Blankenship said. “We just have to give him the ball because he is such a weapon once he gets it in his hands.”

Lucas showed flashes of his ability as a freshman in 2013, but inconsistent protection from the o-line and downright bad quarterback play prevented him from putting up significant numbers. But just as Evans and the line have improved, Lucas has, too.

“Yeah, I mean, he was a freshman last year, that is the thing that gets lost on people,” Blankenship said. “We just really are starting to see our guys grow up and mature a little bit. I think Keevan has benefited from a year in the weight room and from our training. He already had that skill set, but I do think he's a little bigger, little faster and little stronger.”

The Golden Hurricane will need another big performance from Lucas if they want to hang around with the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend. Lucas barely touched the ball in last season's 51-20 loss in Norman, but you can bet he'll see it a lot on Saturday.