TU Faces Another Top-Ten Team In First Home Game Of 2020

Saturday’s homecoming matchup will be Tulsa’s first home game in 328 days. It will also be TU’s third straight game against a top-15 team.

It’s a great chance for the Golden Hurricane to claim a second straight win over a ranked team as they look to take on eighth-ranked Cincinnati.

Head coach Phillip Montgomery hopes his team builds off an eight-point win over then number 11 UCF two weeks ago.

"Trying to use some of our momentum from our last game and apply that to this week,” Montgomery said. “We have to take advantage of opportunities when we get them and then we have to play loose and play free."

Confidence is key, so is protecting quarterback Zach Smith so he'll have time to get the ball to the Hurricane's offensive weapons.

"They are going to play a lot of man coverage, we understand that,” Montgomery said. “We have to do a good job getting off of that and giving him time to give those receivers an opportunity to get some separation to be accurate."

TU's defense will have the tough task of shutting down Cincinnati running back Gerrid Doaks. He has six touchdowns on the season and rushed for more than 100 yards and a score against South Florida.

"He’s a force to be reckoned with, I think he is one of the top backs in the conference,” Montgomery said.” You have to do a good job of getting to him before he gets started. You let him get rolling, he can create some havoc on you."

Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Chapman Stadium.