Tulsa Offense Scores 7 TDs, Defense Forces 4 Turnovers

NewsOn6.com and Tulsa Hurricane

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa offense scored seven touchdowns while the defense forced four turnovers, three of which led to an offensive score.

Freshman quarterback Shavodrick Beaver led the Hurricane offense to four scoring drives, while he threw for two TDs and ran 66 yards for another one. He finished the game by completing 7-of-16 passes for 132 and 2 TDs. Sophomore G.J. Kinne completed 15-of-30 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, and junior Jacob Bower threw for 77 yards and one TD while completing 11-of-20 passes.

"Offensively, we have a lot of big play guys. We had a lot of mental errors on the offensive line. We have a couple of spots we need people to step up in. We have a lot of development to do there," said Head Coach Todd Graham.

"Shavodrick Beaver is just learning. He actually ran the wrong play and turned it into a 66-yard touchdown. I love his spirit. I love how he's competing. G.J. and Jacob made big plays as well. It was the first time out in a game situation, so they all made some errors. But for the most part I thought they showed some good signs. We're really going to be able to throw the football," added Graham.

Junior Jamad Williams led all rushers with 107 yards on 14 carries, while red-shirt freshman Willie Carter had four carries for 85 yards. Sophomore Damaris Johnson had five catches for 126 yards and TD catches of 70 and 35 yards.

Tulsa's defense, playing without three returning starters out with injuries -- linebackers Mike Bryan, George Clinkscale, safety James Lockett as well as projected starter Un'Tavious Scott at defensive end, had four takeaways on interceptions by Bryan Burnham, KD Sims, Charles Davis and a fumble recovery by Rashad Robinson.

Sophomore linebacker Curnelius Arnick had a team-leading nine tackles, followed by red-shirt freshmen Brian Moore (SAF) and Cory Dorris (DE) with seven tackles, respectively.

"Our defense is performing well with a different mindset. I think you could see that today. We had a lot of three-and-outs. We had four takeaways, and we were without four starters today. I'm really excited. I tell people the team that has the best defense usually wins our league," said Graham.

The first score came on the second offensive series of the game, as junior quarterback Jacob Bower threw the final six yards to AJ Whitmore, capping a 10-play, 74-yard drive. Two series later, it was sophomore quarterback G.J. Kinne's 70-yard connection to Damaris Johnson on the first play that went for a touchdown.

The next offensive scoring drive was led by freshman Shavodrick Beaver taking the Hurricane 65 yards in five plays, and throwing a 33-yard strike to Genesis Cole.

The Hurricane offense scored for the fourth time when Matt Hulse converted a 26-yard field goal, after the defense forced a fumble that was recovered by Rashad Robisnon.

Kenny D. Sims' 58-yard interception return gave the offense possession at the two-yard line. Two plays later, Kinne ran in from two yards for the touchdown.

The freshman Beaver led the Hurricane to three of its final four touchdowns. The first came on an 81-yard, five-play drive in just 0:57 as he threw the final 17 yards to A.J. Whitmore. The second came on a Charles Opeseyitan one yard run, which was set-up by an 81-yard run by Willie Carter. On the second play from scrimmage late in the game, Beaver ran 66 yards for his lone rushing touchdown.

G.J. Kinne closed out the scoring with a 35-yard toss to Damaris Johnson.

The Hurricane will finish spring drills with three practices this week.

SCORING DRIVES
OFF - Jacob Bower 6 pass to A.J. Whitmore
OFF - G.J. Kinne 70 pass to Damaris Johnson
OFF - Shavodrick Beaver 33 pass to Genesis Cole
OFF - Matt Hulse 26 FG (set-up by fumble recovery by Rashad Robinson)
OFF - G.J. Kinne 2 run (set-up by 58-yard INT return by KD Sims)
OFF - Shavodrick Beaver 17 pass to A.J. Whitmore
OFF - Charles Opeseyitan 1 run
OFF - Shavodrick Beaver 66 run
OFF - G.J. Kinne 35 pass to Damaris Johnson

TEAM LEADERS:

RUSHING
Willie Carter, 4-85
Jamad Williams, 14-107
Shavodrick Beaver, 10-78, 1 TD
Charles Opeseyitan, 5-44, 1 TD
G.J. Kinne, 13-20, 1 TD
Damaris Johnson, 3-23
Charles Clay, 6-10
Jacob Bower, 4-(-11)
A.J. Whitmore, 2-(-12)
Totals - 61 for 344 yards, 2 TDs

PASSING
Shavodrick Beaver, 7-of-16, 132 yds, 2 TD
G.J. Kinne, 15-of-35, 219 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Jacob Bower, 11-of-20, 77 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Totals -- 33-of-71 for 428 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs

RECEIVING
A.J. Whitmore, 4-66, 2 TD
Damaris Johnson, 5-126, 2 TD
Brett Davis, 3-70
Genesis Cole, 1-33, 1 TD
Slick Shelley, 5-44
Charles Opeseyitan, 3-(-4)
Charles Clay, 6-58
Jake Collums, 1-2
Jamad Williams, 2-1
Chris Ford, 2-26
Jesse Meyer, 1-4
Totals - 33 for 428 yards, 5 TDs