Photo by: Brett Rojo
Tulsa Travels to Sam Houston for First Road Test
9/10/2026 4:17:00 PM | Football
| GAME 2: TULSA (1-0, 0-0 American) at SAM HOUSTON (0-1, 0-0 CUSA) | |
|---|---|
| Date/Time: | Saturday, September 12, 6 p.m. (CT) |
| Site: | Huntsville, Texas |
| Stadium: | Bowers Stadium (14,500) |
| Coaches: | TULSA – Tre Lamb (Tennessee Tech '12), 2nd year SAM HOUSTON – Phil Longo (Rowan '92), 2nd year |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Talent: | Jason Metko (pxp), John Harris (analyst), Kendra Sheehan (reporter) |
| Radio: | Big Country 99.5 FM or Online |
| Talent: | Bruce Howard (pxp), Rick Couri (analyst), Jeremie Poplin (sideline) |
| Live Stats: | Live Stats |
| Series: | 2nd Meeting (Tulsa leads series, 1-0) |
| Game Notes: | Tulsa | Sam Houston | American Conference |
ROAD TEST AWAITS
• Tulsa plays its first road game of the season Saturday when the Golden Hurricane faces Sam Houston at 6 p.m. in Huntsville, Texas.
• The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
• Saturday marks only the second meeting between Tulsa and Sam Houston and the Golden Hurricane's first trip to Huntsville.
• Tulsa won the only previous meeting 56-3 on Sept. 26, 2009, at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
• The teams will complete the home-and-home series when Sam Houston visits Tulsa on Aug. 30, 2031.
• Tulsa is seeking its first 2-0 start since the 2015 season.
A COMPLETE DEFENSIVE EFFORT
• Tulsa's defense produced four takeaways, two sacks, four fourth-down stops and two red-zone stops in the 24-10 victory over Oklahoma State.
• The Golden Hurricane held the Cowboys to three first-half points and shut them out in the fourth quarter.
• Oklahoma State ran 86 plays but was limited to 368 total yards and 4.3 yards per play.
• Tulsa held the Cowboys to 127 rushing yards on 37 attempts, an average of 3.4 yards per carry, and did not allow a rushing touchdown.
• The Golden Hurricane limited Oklahoma State to 5-of-16 on third down and 2-of-6 on fourth down.
• Tulsa's four takeaways included fumble recoveries by Chris Thompson Jr. and Arias Nash and interceptions by Zach Williams and Tyson Williams.
• Thompson led Tulsa with 10 tackles, while Thomas Davis recorded a sack, forced fumble, pass breakup and four quarterback hurries.
THOMPSON Jr. EARNS CONFERENCE HONOR
• Linebacker Chris Thompson Jr. was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in Tulsa's 24-10 season-opening victory over Oklahoma State.
• Thompson led the Golden Hurricane with a career-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops, while adding one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry.
• His 10 tackles surpassed his previous career high of eight, established against South Florida during the 2024 season.
• Thompson helped set the tone on Oklahoma State's opening possession, combining with Hudson Ball to stop the Cowboys on fourth-and-one at the Tulsa 3-yard line.
• In the second quarter, Thompson recovered a fumble forced by Devin Robinson at the Oklahoma State 33-yard line.
• The performance came in Thompson's first game since the 2024 season after he missed the entire 2025 campaign because of injury.
• Thompson's effort helped Tulsa force four turnovers, stop Oklahoma State on four of six fourth-down attempts and limit the Cowboys to 10 points.
• He became Tulsa's first American Conference Defensive Player of the Week since safety Kendarin Ray earned the honor on Sept. 25, 2023.
• The graduate student has been selected as a Tulsa team captain in consecutive seasons and was named to the 2026 Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List.
FOUR TAKEAWAYS LEAD THE WAY
• Tulsa forced four turnovers in its 24-10 victory over Oklahoma State, recording two interceptions and recovering two fumbles.
• It marked Tulsa's first four-takeaway performance since collecting four against East Carolina on Nov. 14, 2024—a span of 15 games.
• The Oklahoma State contest was Tulsa's first victory with at least four takeaways since defeating Temple 48-26 on Sept. 28, 2023.
• The Golden Hurricane did not force four turnovers in any game during the 2025 season before reaching the mark in the 2026 opener.
• Devin Robinson created Tulsa's first takeaway by forcing a second-quarter fumble that Chris Thompson Jr. recovered at the Oklahoma State 33-yard line.
• Thomas Davis added a strip-sack on the Cowboys' opening possession of the second half, with Arias Nash recovering the ball at the Oklahoma State 23.
• Zach Williams intercepted a pass in the end zone with 4:13 remaining, ending an Oklahoma State drive that had advanced to the Tulsa 12-yard line.
• Tyson Williams added another interception on the Cowboys' final possession to secure the victory.
• The Golden Hurricane committed only one turnover, finishing with a plus-three turnover margin. Tulsa did not post a turnover margin of plus-three or better in any game during the 2025 season.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT FOR ALSTON
• Running back Damari Alston made an immediate impact in his Tulsa debut, rushing for a team-high 73 yards and two touchdowns in the Golden Hurricane's 24-10 victory over Oklahoma State.
• Alston carried 15 times and averaged 4.9 yards per attempt while accounting for both of Tulsa's rushing touchdowns.
• The redshirt senior scored from one yard out with 21 seconds remaining in the second quarter, completing a 75-yard drive and giving Tulsa a 10-3 halftime lead.
• His first touchdown came after an apparent score was erased by a holding penalty. Alston responded by gaining four yards on first-and-goal before reaching the end zone two plays later.
• Alston added a 29-yard touchdown with 7:52 remaining in the fourth quarter, extending Tulsa's advantage to 24-10.
• The fourth-quarter score came two plays after the Golden Hurricane defense stopped Oklahoma State on fourth-and-one at the Cowboys' 34-yard line.
• Alston accounted for all 34 yards on the decisive scoring drive, carrying for five yards on the opening play before breaking free for the 29-yard touchdown.
• He rushed for 34 of Tulsa's 59 fourth-quarter yards, helping the Golden Hurricane finish the victory and keep Oklahoma State scoreless in the final period.
• The two-touchdown performance increased Alston's career totals to 882 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 177 attempts—an average of 5.0 yards per carry.
• Alston spent four seasons at Auburn before transferring to Tulsa. He appeared in 38 games for the Tigers, rushing for 809 yards and six touchdowns while averaging five yards per attempt.
• His Auburn career included 320 rushing yards in 2023, 276 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 and 128 yards during four appearances in 2025.
• The Atlanta native was a record-setting running back at Woodward Academy, finishing his prep career with school records of 4,195 rushing yards and 62 rushing touchdowns.
SINGLETON PROVIDES THE BIG PLAYS
• Wide receiver Oran Singleton Jr. made an immediate impact in his Golden Hurricane debut, leading Tulsa with four receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown in the 24-10 victory over Oklahoma State.
• Singleton averaged 24.8 yards per reception and accounted for 43.6 percent of Tulsa's 227 passing yards.
• Three of his four catches covered at least 20 yards as he produced gains of 56, 22 and 21 yards.
• With Tulsa backed up at its own 3-yard line during the first quarter, Singleton caught a 56-yard pass from Baylor Hayes to move the Golden Hurricane into Oklahoma State territory.
• The 56-yard connection was Tulsa's longest offensive play of the game and helped set up the Golden Hurricane's opening field goal.
• Singleton added a 22-yard reception during Tulsa's final possession of the first half. Two plays later, Jimmy Calloway caught a 47-yard pass that helped set up Damari Alston's one-yard touchdown.
• His 21-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter completed a six-play, 59-yard drive and extended Tulsa's lead to 17-3.
• Singleton accounted for three of Tulsa's four longest completions and provided 99 yards on just four of Baylor Hayes' 17 completed passes.
• The 99-yard performance was the second-highest receiving total of Singleton's career, trailing only his 103-yard game against Toledo in 2024.
• Singleton entered the season with 79 career receptions for 773 yards and three touchdowns. Following his Tulsa debut, he has 83 catches for 872 yards and four touchdowns during his collegiate career.
PROTECTION UP FRONT
• Tulsa's offensive line did not allow a sack against Oklahoma State despite Baylor Hayes attempting 24 passes.
• The Golden Hurricane averaged 6.3 yards per offensive play and finished with 361 total yards.
• Tulsa produced three completions of at least 20 yards, including passes covering 56 yards to Oran Singleton Jr. and 47 yards to Jimmy Calloway.
• The offensive front also helped Tulsa score twice on the ground and average 4.1 yards per rushing attempt.
• Tulsa's three touchdown drives covered 75, 59 and 34 yards.
STANDING TALL ON FOURTH DOWN
• Tulsa stopped Oklahoma State on four of its six fourth-down attempts, including three fourth-and-one plays.
• The Golden Hurricane's first stand came at its own 3-yard line when Hudson Ball and Chris Thompson Jr. stopped Caleb Hawkins for no gain.
• Kyran Duhon later stopped Ayo Adeyi for no gain on fourth-and-one at the Tulsa 41.
• Zach Williams and Sam Stone combined for another fourth-and-one stop at the Oklahoma State 34 during the fourth quarter.
• The Tulsa defense limited Oklahoma State to two scores in four red-zone trips and did not allow an offensive touchdown until the final two minutes of the third quarter.
2026 CAPTAINS
• Head Coach Tre Lamb announced the 2026 team captains during fall camp.
• Captain selections include one head coach's pick and four team-voted leaders (two offense, two defense).
• The 2026 team captains are:
• Baylor Hayes – Quarterback
• Sevion Morrison – Running Back
• Chris Thompson Jr. – Linebacker
• Jaylen George – Defensive Line
• Malachi Preciado – Offensive Line
NEW NUMBERS FOR 2026
• Seven returning Golden Hurricane players will wear new jersey numbers during the 2026 season.
• Donnell Gee Jr. moves from No. 18 to No. 0, Zach Williams from No. 18 to No. 1, Devin Robinson from No. 16 to No. 2 and Ashton Williams from No. 15 to No. 5.
• Aquavious Dunbar changes from No. 40 to No. 21, Tristan Lawyer from No. 51 to No. 40 and Micah Tease moves from No. 3 to No. 8 as he transitions from wide receiver to cornerback.
RECRUIT LOCAL
• Tulsa's 2026 roster features 27 players from the Tulsa metropolitan area, demonstrating the Golden Hurricane's commitment to recruiting and retaining local talent.
• The group includes 17 players whose listed hometown is Tulsa, four from Owasso, three from Bixby and one each from Collinsville, Jenks and Mannford.
• Local players represent every phase of the roster, with Tulsa-area talent appearing on offense, defense and special teams.
• The group includes players from several of the area's most successful high school programs, including Bixby, Booker T. Washington, Cascia Hall, Collinsville, Holland Hall, Jenks, Metro Christian, Owasso, Rejoice Christian and Union.
• Tulsa's local contingent includes returning Golden Hurricane players as well as student-athletes who returned home after beginning their collegiate careers elsewhere.
• Head coach Tre Lamb and his staff continue to prioritize relationships with area high school coaches while providing local players an opportunity to compete at the FBS level in their hometown region.
"FREAK LIST"
• Tulsa defensive lineman Kyran Duhon and running back Trequan Jones earned spots on Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks List, which recognizes the most physically gifted athletes in college football.
• Duhon was ranked No. 74 nationally. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive lineman reached 21 mph, posted a 35-inch vertical jump, bench-pressed 425 pounds and squatted 615 pounds.
• Jones came in at No. 79 after reaching 23.6 mph and recording a 42-inch vertical jump, 3.90-second shuttle and 1.48-second 10-yard split.
• Tulsa was one of the programs with multiple players represented among the 101 athletes selected nationally.
• Duhon and Jones both joined the Golden Hurricane through the transfer portal. Duhon previously played at Oklahoma State, while Jones arrived from Old Dominion.
WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT TULSA'S FOOTBALL TRADITION
• New Year's Day Bowl Streak: Tulsa was the first school to play in five consecutive New Year's Day bowl games: Sun Bowl (1942), Sugar Bowl (1943, 1944), Orange Bowl (1945), and Oil Bowl (1946).
• Ellis Jones: An All-American guard in 1945, Jones played with one arm and was a standout on the College All-Star team vs. the Chicago Bears.
• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Four former Tulsa players are enshrined: Bob St. Clair, Jim Finks, Steve Largent, and Drew Pearson.
• Heisman Runners-Up: Jerry Rhome (1964) and Howard Twilley (1965) finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.
• Glenn Dobbs (1940–42): Considered Tulsa's greatest player, Dobbs also coached the Hurricane in the 1960s. Eighth Street near H.A. Chapman Stadium is Glenn Dobbs Drive, dedicated in 2000. A statue of Dobbs was dedicated before the 2013 spring game.
• Zaven Collins (2020): Consensus All-America linebacker who won the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards as college football's top defender.
• NFL Head Coaches: Four former Tulsa players have served as NFL head coaches: Tommy Hudspeth (Detroit Lions), Sam Rutigliano (Cleveland Browns), Ray Rhodes (Philadelphia Eagles/Green Bay Packers), and Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears/Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Houston Texans).
• College Football Hall of Fame: Tulsa has three former players, two former head coaches, and two former assistant coaches inducted:
• Players: Glenn Dobbs (1940–42, 1961–68), Howard Twilley (1963–65), Jerry Rhome (1963–64)
• Head Coaches: Francis Schmidt (1919–21), John Cooper (1977–84)
• Assistant Coaches: Darrell Royal (1951), Sammy Baugh (1963)
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the football program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'TulsaFootball' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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