TU Looking to Bounce Back against Bowling Green

Tulsa's second opponent is also coming off an emotional loss.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:56 am

By: News On 6

TU Looking to Bounce Back against Bowling Green

Originally Published: Sep 7, 2010 8:50 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Golden Hurricane had an extra day to prepare for its Sunday opener against East Carolina.

The drawback is the team now has one less day to prepare for opponent No. 2.

Tulsa will take on Bowling Green in its home opener at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

The Golden Hurricane (0-1, 0-1) suffered a heartbreaking loss to East Carolina in its opener, but TU coach Todd Graham said the team has to move on quickly to focus on the opponent at hand.

“You pick up and you go on and you have to get back out and get ready for a very good Bowling Green team,” Graham said. “I think Bowling Green is a good team, I'm impressed with their skill players - their receivers, their quarterback and their offense.”

Bowling Green (0-1) is also coming off of a tough loss. Troy kicker Michael Taylor hit a 34-yard field goal with four seconds to go to beat the Falcons 30-27 in their opener.

Though it’s unlikely Troy will put up 51 points as East Carolina did, Graham said the secondary and defense in general must improve from its week one performance.

Tulsa gave up touchdowns on ECU’s final five drives of the game last week.

“We played three quarters and we couldn't stop them in the fourth,” Graham said. “We have to get better defensively. We have to get better at tackling and we have to get better down the stretch.”

On the flip side, Tulsa also scored on its final five drives of the game. G.J. Kinne put up the second best numbers of any NCAA quarterback in the opening week with 399 yards and five touchdowns.

Graham said Kinne did a good job of adapting to the game as it unfolded on Sunday.

“What we've expressed to him is that he has a lot of talent around him,” he said. “He has to take what the defense gives him; don't make your mind up what you are going to do before the ball is snapped.”

Graham also said it will be good to play in front of a home crowd after starting off with one of its toughest road games of the season.

“We need everyone out here in force,” he said. “The team coming in here is a really good football team. We need to get this thing loud and kick this thing off and defend this field.”