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Athlon Sports
Tulsa Football: 2024 Golden Hurricane Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
6 hours ago
A four-win club a year ago, Tulsa lost three of its last four games by seven points or fewer. Four games with three turnovers or more did not help things, either. Head coach Kevin Wilson’s second season could have a little more promise if the defensive additions pay off and the quarterback development takes effect sooner rather than later.
A key returning piece for the Golden Hurricane is sixth-year running back Anthony Watkins, who led the team in rushing last season with 889 yards. He was named to the All-American Athletic Conference third team for his efforts. Tulsa’s rushing offense averaged 4.1 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns last season.
The Golden Hurricane managed to give several quarterbacks meaningful reps last season. Braylon Braxton has transferred, leaving Cardell Williams and Kirk Francis as the two with the best shot at winning the full-time starting job. Both, however, have plenty of room to grow. Helping them along in 2024 will be new quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Corey Dennis, who is credited as a key figure in the development of Joe Burrow, Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins during his time at Ohio State.
Between all of Tulsa’s quarterbacks, the team averaged 204.7 yards through the air per game in 2023.
Tulsa’s defensive stats were only slightly better than those posted by North Texas’ defense, which was the worst in the AAC in 2023. The Golden Hurricane ranked above only five FBS teams in allowing 444.7 yards per game. Forcing 21 turnovers, including 11 fumble recoveries, helped limit the damage, but it wasn’t enough.
Looking to help that group improve, Tulsa’s coaching staff was active in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in a handful of starting-caliber players. Middle linebacker Gavin Potter was a four-year starter at Kansas before spending last season as a rotational player at Arkansas State. Former Indiana and UCLA edge rusher Myles Jackson is also expected to make an immediate impact; he brings 51 tackles, three fumble recoveries and an interception in his college career. Pieces like Jackson and Potter should be able to apply more pressure on opposing QBs this season.
Tulsa will have a new field-goal kicker this season in Michael Slaba, who handled kickoff duties last season. Australian punter Angus Davies had 23 punts land inside the 20-yard line last season, the second-highest total in the AAC. Sixth-year senior Kamdyn Benjamin should take over primary return duties after splitting them with Jordan Ford the last two seasons.
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