Gridiron Success Fills Campus With Pride

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Football fever sweeps the University of Tulsa campus.  TU's football team is 8 and 0 after a Sunday night whipping of Central Florida.  The nationally televised game brought lots of exposure to TU athletics, the university and the city of Tulsa.

When TU took the field for a rare Sunday night nationally televised game, an undefeated season was on the line.  TU triumphed, moving to 8 and 0 on the season.  Many students on campus are showing their team pride and couldn't be happier.

"It's so cool.  We're like the only school in Oklahoma that is undefeated, and people think oh you know Tulsa.  We're awesome this year.  We're unstoppable," said TU sophomore Abby Lamberti.

The Golden Hurricane is ranked 18th in the Coaches Poll, 19th in the AP Top 25 and stands at 18th in the BCS standings.

Not only did TU get a victory on the field to keep the undefeated season going, being the only nationally televised Sunday night football game was also a big win.

"It's great PR for the university.  It's a great university in general, but having all this exposure and with the football team, it's amazing," said TU senior Emily Cooper.

"To have a national television audience, it gives us a chance to talk about being a small school, being a private school and being kind of a jewel within a great city of Tulsa," said TU Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham.

TU Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham says the exposure is not only good for the athletic department and the university.  It's also great for Tulsa.

But, the best exposure of all is to keep winning.

With four games left, and a conference championship game and bowl matchup on the horizon, fans hope the winning ways and the fun continue.

"TU is doing fabulous and the sky is the limit," said TU senior Emily Cooper.

Saturday's TU game is a big one for football fans in our area.  The Golden Hurricane travels to Fayetteville to take on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.