Tulsa Players Reflect on Notre Dame Win

Golden Hurricane players had a chance to talk about their big win at their weekly press conference.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 1, 2010 7:30 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma – It’s easy for players and coaches to toss out the usual answers about “not getting caught up” in one game or “moving on to next week’s matchup.”

But it’s slightly harder to do that when your team has just beaten the most prolific team in college football history.

It was tough for Tulsa team members at their weekly press conference on Monday to not talk about their thrilling 28-27 victory against Notre Dame.

“It was a great win for the school, all the fans and the team,” TU kicker Kevin Fitzpatrick said. “We went out and we worked hard all week to prepare for this and we took it very seriously and it paid off. It felt great.”

Fitzpatrick played a large role in the victory, knocking in a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter as well as a 27-yarder that would prove to be the game winner.

“The offense just did great to get me in position,” he said. “I just had to go out like it was any other kick and just bang it through.”

But Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only one who made big plays. He said everyone had to contribute and be on their game for the Golden Hurricane to pull off a win against such a respected opponent.

One player that certainly contributed in a big way was linebacker Shawn Jackson, who took an interception back 66 yards for a TU touchdown just before halftime.

He said coming into the game, a lot of people doubted the Golden Hurricane’s defense, but that he thought the defense was the backbone of the victory.

“We just stepped up and we said it was enough of it,” he said. “We made big plays as a defense and as a whole team.”

Teams often are at risk for a “letdown” the week following a huge win. But fortunately for Tulsa, next week’s opponent is unlikely to give them any trouble.

The Rice Owls are just 2-6 overall and 1-3 in conference and rank near the bottom of the NCAA in most statistical categories.

So while the Golden Hurricane must hit the practice field and prepare as it does any other week, a little bit of reflecting after the Notre Dame win probably will not do too much harm.

“Going into the game we knew that if we were going to win it would be something we’d remember for the rest of our lives,” Fitzpatrick said.