Close Calls Not Going Tulsa's Way

Only a few points separate the Golden Hurricane from an undefeated conference record.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:59 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Oct 11, 2010 6:27 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Five points separate Tulsa from its only two conference losses potentially turning into conference victories.

The Golden Hurricane lost 51-49 on a Hail Mary at East Carolina and gave up a three-point win to SMU on Saturday.

TU coach Todd Graham said the Oklahoma State game, in which he lost 65-28, is the only game his team wasn’t in the mix to pull out a victory at the end.

“We’ve been whipped and played poorly one game,” Graham said.

“If we can defend a Hail Mary pass, we are 4-2, and one or two more plays you are sitting here and could be 5-1.”

So instead of sitting at 3-0 in conference (which would put them alone in first place), the Golden Hurricane is now fourth in the West Division thanks to a five-point total deficit.

But all hope is not lost if TU can start turning those close losses into close wins, starting with Tulane at home on Saturday.

Graham said he is confident his team will get back on the right track and that its current 1-2 conference record doesn’t accurately represent his team’s talent.

“The only thing we can control is going and getting better,” he said. “I know we are one of the better teams. I’ve got a lot of confidence in this staff and confidence in this team.”