2001 Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Strengths and Weaknesses

by Justin Waganer

Senior Sports Writer

Strengths

QB-  Josh Blankenship is still on the bad side of his TD/Interception ratio for his career, yet has shown the ability to be a big time starter in the WAC.  Already owning 6th place on the all-time TU passing list, Blankenship looks to having a solid ground game and a All-America candidate at WR. 

RB-  Eric Richardson gave the coaches something to dream about in the offseason closing with games of 192 yards against San Jose State and 208 against Nevada.  D.J. Barnett also returns after taking a year off to concentrate on Academics and figures to contribute.  Though he was the team's leading rusher, Ken Bohanon was moved from RB to FB after a 800 yard, 10 touchdown season.

Weaknesses

OL-  The Tulsa offensive line was brutal in 2000 getting just 2.9 yards per carry before Eric Richardson's final two big games.  The line must get more production out of the running game or the passing game will fail too.

DL-  This unit has serious problems.  The Hurricane's rush defense finished 103rd in the nation a year ago and lost it's top two linemen in Chris Odom and Da'mond Robinson.  The coaches claim that they feel like they will be ok at this position, but the largest player is at 270 then is followed by an almost 30 pound drop.  This line must put pressure on the QB and hit his backs behind the line or it could be a long season.