Breaking Down Tulsa's Win over Southern Miss

Originally Published: Nov 28, 2010 4:43 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma – For what it’s worth, Tulsa (9-3/6-2) was the only team in Conference USA to win every home game this season. The final game was the toughest of them all.

OFFENSE: A-
Friday was a career day for quarterback G.J. Kinne and running back Willie Carter. Kinne passed for over 400 yards in a game for the first time in his career. His six total touchdowns were the most he’s scored in a single game in his career. He did throw a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Carter had his best game. He scored three straight touchdowns at a point in the game where Tulsa’s defense needed help. He kept TU in the game on his own with 67 and 12 yard touchdown receptions and a 41 yard run for a score in the second half. He entered the game with four total touchdowns all season.

The effort was the second time this season that the Golden Hurricane picked up 600+ yards of offense (612 vs. Rice).

DEFENSE: D
Against the Golden Eagles, it was pretty darn ugly. Tulsa allowed 563 yards to Southern Miss after having given up an average of just 395 over the previous three games. Tulsa hadn’t allowed 500+ yards since giving up 722 yards to Oklahoma State in Week 3.

Southern Miss scored 50 points, but there were some bright spots for Tulsa. They recorded an interception, giving them a pick in every game but one this season (Rice), and recovered two fumbles.

TU was not really able to slow down quarterback Austin Davis. The reigning conference offensive player of the week finished the game 28-for-41 for 371 yards passing.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B
The special teams was a mixed bag Friday night. Tulsa gave up a long kickoff return on the first kick of the night. Francisco Llanos took off for an 87-yard score in the first quarter. The score was the second straight game that the Golden Hurricane allowed points on a return.

The punting was great against Southern Miss. It was kind of odd to think that punting was a difference maker in a game that featured 50 points from the visitors, but Michael Such did a great job booting the ball on senior night.

Such dropped both of his punts inside the 20 yard line, including one that was downed at the USM 5. The Golden Eagles were only able to score on one of the possessions following Such’s punts.

OVERALL: B
The Golden Hurricane wasn’t especially crisp on defense, but more than made up for that on offense. TU racked up 634 yards of offense and 56 points, both season-highs.

Tulsa finishes the regular season with nine wins. They will play in a bowl game for the fifth time in six seasons. Missing out on the division title stings, especially since the Golden Hurricane’s two league losses were by a combined five points, but Tulsa did dominate most of the competition in C-USA in 2010.