TU football coach says team displayed character

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe says his team displayed a lot of character as it lost to Minnesota 49-to-10. <br><br>Kragthorpe says he could tell even when the Golden Hurricane were down 35-nothing

Wednesday, September 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe says his team displayed a lot of character as it lost to Minnesota 49-to-10.

Kragthorpe says he could tell even when the Golden Hurricane were down 35-nothing that players weren't giving up.

Tulsa is 0-and-1 and trying to rebuild a football program that has won only two of its last 23 games.

Tulsa will have a similarly lopsided matchup this week against Arkansas.

But Kragthorpe says Tulsa's mistakes are correctable and that players faced the Gophers challenge without losing their heads.

He was particularly impressed with quarterback James Kilian's composure. In his third career start, Kilian completed 18 of 32 pass attempts for 171 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run.

Kragthorpe says he plans to review tape from the Minnesota game to work on improvements.