Kragthorpe wants Tulsa to be more than `flash in the pan'

TULSA, Okla. (AP) With a conference title and a New Year's Eve bowl win in its pocket, the University of Tulsa is looking to maintain that level of success. <br/><br/>In only 3 seasons, coach Steve

Wednesday, August 9th 2006, 4:33 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) With a conference title and a New Year's Eve bowl win in its pocket, the University of Tulsa is looking to maintain that level of success.

In only 3 seasons, coach Steve Kragthorpe took a Golden Hurricane football team with back to back 1 win seasons and led it to its first conference title in two decades. Now, the challenge is staying at the top.

During Tuesday's annual media day in Tulsa, quarterback Paul Smith says the team is looking to continue playing at a high level.

In Kragthorpe's first season in 2003, Tulsa had the biggest turnaround in NCAA Division 1A and went to a bowl game for the first time in 12 years.

But a backslide followed, and Tulsa went only 4 and 8 the following year.

Back on the winning track again, Kragthorpe wants this year's Golden Hurricane team to match the level of play that led Tulsa to a 9 and 4 record last season.

This year TU's schedule opens against Stephen F. Austin on August 31st, followed by a trip to BYU on September ninth.

Tulsa has plans to play home and home series with OU, Kansas, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Vanderbilt and Army over the next seven seasons.