April 7, 2007

Tulsa, Oklahoma - The Tulsa football team completed its ninth practice of spring drills with a 120-play scrimmage on a cool and brisk Saturday morning.

The defensive unit was dominant early in Tulsa's third scrimmage of the spring season and totaled five takeaways, including one fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown. On the first 11 possessions of the game, the defense forced the offensive unit into seven punts, three turnovers and one missed field goal.

Paul Smith rallied the offensive unit as he directed six scoring drives and finished the game with 17-of-28 passing for 224 yards and two TD passes. For the game, the offense compiled 624 total yards, including 330 through the air and 294 yards on the ground.

Junior Tarrion Adams rushed for a team-high 103 yards and one TD on 12 carries, followed by red-shirt freshman Jamad Williams' 98 yards and two touchdowns and senior Cody Madison with 72 yards.

On the receiving end, the offense was led by sophomore Jesse Meyer's five receptions for 77 yards and Nick Henderson with five catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

The offensive unit opened up the scrimmage with a Smith to Williams 36-yard pass to the 24-yard line, but on the next play senior safety Anthony Germany forced a fumble after a reception by junior Dion Toliver, and senior linebacker Alain Karatepeyan picked it up and raced 76 yards for a defensive TD.

Freshman red-shirt Clark Harrell took the offense 31 yards to the defensive 14-yard line, but red-shirt freshman Anthony Smith intercepted a Harrell pass in the end zone to stop the drive.

On the 11th offensive possession of the game, Kenny Sims recovered a fumble and took the ball to the 10-yard line.

The offense took over from there, as Williams raced 10 yards on his first carry for a touchdown. From that point, the offense rallied and put together some impressive scoring drives. On the next possession, Smith drove the offense 49 yards to the 17-yard line, where Jarod Tracy connected on a 35-yard field goal.

Red-shirt freshman Drew Cuffee had the defenses fourth takeaway on an interception of a Harrell pass.

Smith took over the offense and drove Tulsa 54 yards as Williams ran the final 15 yards for a touchdown. After a three-and-out for the offense, Smith again took over control of the offense taking just two plays to get back on the scoreboard as Adams raced 63 yards for a TD.

Sims, who earlier had a fumble recovery, intercepted a Smith pass for the fifth takeaway of the game for the defense. After that, the Tulsa offense scored 22 points on its next six possessions.

Junior David Johnson threw a 46-yard strike to senior Ted Curtis, capping a four-play 90-yard drive. On the next possession, Smith connected on 4-of-4 passing for 45 yards, including the final eight-yarder to Henderson for a touchdown.

After failing to mount much offense on the next two possessions, Smith guided the offensive unit to scores on the final two possessions, both starting at the defensive 25-yard line. First, Jarod Tracy kicked a 36-yard field goal, then Smith hit Henderson for a four-yard TD pass.

The Hurricane has six spring practices remaining, culminating with the Annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 21. Festivities for the Spring Game will kick-off with FanFest beginning at 4:30 pm. A Lettermen's Flag Football Game will begin at 5:30 pm, and the Spring Game will start at approximately 6:15 pm.

Food, music, inflatable games, a classic car exhibit and much more is planned during the FanFest. Fans can also purchase season tickets for the 2007 campaign during FanFest activities.

Scoring Summary/Takeaway Summary
Defense - Alain Karatepeyan 76-yard fumble return for touchdown
Defense - Anthony Smith interception
Defense - Kenny Sims fumble recovery
Offense - Jamad Williams 10 run
Offense -Jarod Tracy 35 FG
Defense - Drew Cuffee interception
Offense - Jamad Williams 15 run
Offense - Tarrion Adams 63 run
Defense - Kenny Sims interception
Offense - David Johnson 46 pass to Ted Curtis
Offense - Paul Smith 8 pass to Nick Henderson
Offense - Jarod Tracy 36 FG
Offense - Paul Smith 4 pass to Nick Henderson
Offense - Jarod Tracy 39 FG
Rushing
Tarrion Adams, 12-103-1 TD
Jamad Williams, 14-98-2 TD
Cody Madison, 10-72
Cameron Clemons, 3-7
Aaron Johnson, 4-6
Clark Harrell, 3-6
Courtney Tennial, 3-4
David Johnson, 4-3
Paul Smith, 3-1
Dion Toliver, 1/-6
Passing
Paul Smith, 17-of-28 for 224 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
David Johnson, 8-of-12 for 89 yards, 1 TD
Clark Harrell, 3-of-12 for 17 yards, 2 INT
Receiving
Jesse Meyer, 5-77
Nick Henderson, 5-56-2 TD
Jamad Williams, 2-53
Ted Curtis, 1-46-1 TD
Stephen Polk, 3-26
Dion Toliver, 3-15
Aaron Johnson, 2-20
Jacob Frank, 2-20
Tarrion Adams, 1-6
Cameron Clemons, 3-6
Corey Kizer, 1-5