July 16, 2008
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Irving, Texas - The Tulsa football team was picked to defend its Conference USA West Division Championship as voted on by the league's coaches, it was announced today by the league office.
The C-USA coaches unanimously picked the Hurricane to finish ahead of second-place Houston, by picking up all of the possible 72 points. Houston had 59 points and was followed by third-place UTEP's 42 points.
Defending C-USA East Division Champion and C-USA Football Champions UCF was picked to win the east side of Conference USA. UCF picked up 67 points, followed by East Carolina's 60 and Southern Miss with 49 points.
"This is a compliment to our program and players and what we've done in the past, but it means absolutely nothing for this year. Naturally we have high expectations, but we have to go out and earn it," said Tulsa Head Coach Todd Graham. "I'm very excited about this team and the opportunities we have this year. We have a chance to accomplish some great things, but I can tell you we'll be in a whole bunch of close football games just like we were last year, and we're going to have to win all of them."
The Hurricane had three players named to the C-USA preseason all-conference team. Tulsa running back Tarrion Adams, receiver Brennan Marion and defensive end Moton Hopkins, all seniors, were selected to the Coaches all-C-USA squad.
Adams rushed for 1,225 yards, eight touchdowns and a 5.6 per carry average, while catching 30 passes for 301 yards and three TDs. He also passed for two touchdowns on the season. In Tulsa's 63-7 GMAC Bowl over Bowling Green, Adams rushed, passed and caught one touchdown.
Marion, the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year, broke a 30-year NCAA record when he averaged 31.9 yards per catch with 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns on 39 receptions a year ago.
Hopkins was a second-team all-C-USA selection last year and was credited with 71 tackles and 10 stops for lost yardage as he started all 14 games. Hopkins has started 28 of 40 career contests for Tulsa and has amassed 139 career tackles and 14.5 stops for lost yardage.
"It's a great honor for these three players and very deserving, and is a reflection on their team. It shows that the coaches in our league recognize the talents of Tarrion, Brennan and Moton, and how important they are to the success of our team. There" said Graham.
Last year, Tulsa posted a 6-2 Conference USA record and captured the regular season West Division title. The Hurricane tied a school record with 10 victories after posting an overall 10-4 mark in 2007.
2008 Conference USA Preseason Poll Top Three places Only AnnouncedEAST DIVISION 1. UCF 67 2. East Carolina 60 3. Southern Miss 49
WEST DIVISION 1. Tulsa 72 2. Houston 59 3. UTEP 42
Offensive Player of the Year Damion Fletcher, RB, Southern Miss
Defensive Player of the Year Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss
Special Teams Player of the Year Joe Burnett, PR, UCF
First Team Offense QB Chase Clement, Sr., Rice RB Tarrion Adams, Sr., Tulsa RB Damion Fletcher, Jr., Southern Miss OL Patrick Brown, Sr., UCF OL Robby Felix, Sr., UTEP OL Ryan McKee, Sr., Southern Miss OL Doug Palmer, Jr., East Carolina OL Brandon Pearce, Sr., Memphis WR Duke Calhoun, Jr., Memphis WR Jarett Dillard, Sr., Rice WR Brennan Marion, Sr., Tulsa WR Jeff Moturi, Jr., UTEP TE Cody Slate, Jr., Marshall
First Team Defense DL Albert McClellan, Sr., Marshall DL Moton Hopkins, Sr., Tulsa DL Philip Hunt, Sr., Houston DL Zach Slate, Sr., East Carolina DL C.J. Wilson, Jr., East Carolina LB Joe Henderson, Sr., UAB LB Gerald McRath, Jr., Southern Miss LB Brian Raines, Sr., Rice DB Will Dunbar, Sr., UAB DB Kenneth Fontenette, Sr., Houston DB Andrew Sendejo, Jr., Rice DB C.J. Spillman, Sr., Marshall
First Team Special Teams K Jose Martinez, Sr., UTEP P Thomas Morstead, Sr., SMU KR Darius Marshall, So., Marshall PR Joe Burnett, Sr., UCF
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