Golden Hurricane Completes Successful Spring Game

The University of Tulsa football squad concluded spring practice with the Annual Tulsa Spring Football game Saturday afternoon at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

No scoring was kept during the two-hour event that consisted of game action, fan contests and interviews. Head Coach Bill Blankenship was pleased with today's scrimmage and fan activities. The situational scrimmage had fan contests and player introductions mixed throughout day's activities.

"I thought today was good. We had kind of a dream and idea on how to try to engage our fans a little more, and get them closer to our players by bringing them on the field and interacting with them," said Blankenship.

"We pretty much had everything done before today. We told some of the guys that were still trying to win a spot, that they wouldn't lose an credibility today, but you might gain some if you come out and compete. I'm anxious to watch the film. I thought we had some that did well," said Blankenship.

Blankenship was pleased with the 15 days of spring drills.

"I thought we made great strides the first half of spring practice," said Blankenship. "The last week and a half or so was tough because we had to so narrow down what we were doing offensively because of injuries, that I'm not even sure we pushed the defense enough. The defense was really dominant the last week and a half of practice, and part of that was they're really a lot better, and then the offense was not giving them a good challenge."

Jordan James caught three touchdown passes, including one in an overtime situation, to highlight action for the Hurricane. On the afternoon, James tallied six catches for 63 yards. Cody Green was 10-of-14 on the day for 80 yards and two touchdown strikes to James, while Dane Evans was 4-of-5 for 47 yards and a touchdown. Trey Watts led TU with 67 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown, while James Flanders had 15 rushes for 40 yards and a score.

Pacing the TU defense was linebacker Trent Martin, who had a team-high seven stops, while fellow linebacker Jake Sizelove recorded five solo tackles. Linebacker Mitchell Osborne, defensive end Chris Hummingbird and linebacker Shawn Jackson all recorded sacks in the contest, and walk-on linebacker Shawn Norman and defensive tackle Jack Jewell each had fumble recoveries.

The team began practice with the W drill before the first team offense took the field. On the first scrimmage possession, Cody Green ran 30 yards and then found James for a four-yard strike for the first touchdown of the afternoon.

On the ensuing Tulsa drive, Evans found James twice, including an 11-yard touchdown throw, which marked the second offensive score of the game.

The offense, after starting its drives at the 40-yard line, started its next few drives at its own five-yard line. The TU defense found success as it forced two fumbles.

After a brief intermission where participants of the Golden Hurricane Spirit Clinic performed, the team took part in a 7-on-7 drill. After the drill, Blankenship introduced members of the 2013 recruiting class that attended the spring game.

Following a field goal kicking contest, the offense took possession at the 40-yard line and on the second play of the drive Watts went untouched into the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown scamper.

On the next drive, Flanders found the end zone from a yard out as the Hurricane had a nine-play, 40-yard drive. Flanders rushed for 28 yards on the drive.

The day concluded with an overtime simulation, where James caught his third touchdown pass of the day.