Tulsa Upsets Notre Dame, 28-27

The Golden Hurricane pulled off the biggest win in school history with a field goal and late interception.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Oct 30, 2010 3:38 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND, Indiana – A 27-yard field goal from Kevin Fitzpatrick and an interception from John Flanders iced arguably the biggest victory in Tulsa football history.

Tulsa held on against Notre Dame 28-27 after Fitzpatrick split the uprights after a 12-play drive consuming almost five minutes.

The Fighting Irish responded with a drive of their own, getting inside the Tulsa 20-yard line with less than a minute to go. Instead of centering the ball and opting for a potentially game-winning field goal, the Irish went for the end zone.

Quarterback Tommy Rees, who was filling in for the injured Dayne Crist, threw toward the end zone and was intercepted by TU defensive back John Flanders to seal the win.

Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist went down on the Irish’s first possession, rupturing his patella tendon in his left leg. Crist will miss the rest of the season, and his backup, Tommy Rees was mostly impressive in Crist’s absence.

Rees went 33-of-54 for 334 yards and four touchdowns, but also had three interceptions, all of which proved costly.

Tulsa got off to a quick start, with quarterback G.J. Kinne connecting with Damaris Johnson for a nine-yard touchdown to start off 7-0.

Kevin Fitzpatrick also added a 37-yard field goal in the first half, but Rees led the Irish to three scores to give Notre Dame a 20-12 lead.

But right before the half, Tulsa’s defense showed up. Tulsa’s Shawn Jackson intercepted a pass from Rees and rumbled 66 yards for a score with less than a minute remaining in the half.

Tulsa’s two-point conversion failed, resulting in a 20-18 deficit at half.

Notre Dame jumped out to a nine-point lead in the third, but the Golden Hurricane responded in a big way as Damaris Johnson returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown to cut the Irish lead to 27-25.

Fitzpatrick’s field goal was the only score of the first quarter, but it proved to be the difference in the game.

Kinne had 196 yards and a touchdown through the air, but also added 78 yards on the ground for Tulsa.

Notre Dame dropped its second straight at home, while the Golden Hurricane won its second straight and will take on Rice next Saturday.