Add the result of Tulane vs. Tulsa to their season, and football fans around the country mustn’t think much of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane these days. But they know they’re better than their reputation and deceptive record. They’ve stayed competitive against some of the toughest teams in college football. In a season of injuries, horrible calls, and worse luck, Tulsa has a record that makes them appear as a team with a lot to be desired. They’ve only managed to grab three wins out of the nine-game pile.
The Golden Hurricane also has the second longest tenured coach in the American conference. Philip Montgomery is patient, intelligent, and an underrated coach who’s known to do amazing things with what he’s given.
There were whispers of it being a trap game
If you calculated some variables and took a shortcut down What-If Boulevard, Tulane vs. Tulsa was an intriguing matchup. Tulsa had won the last two outings against them in overtime, and they always tend to play them well. Tulane finished last season ranked 118 of 130. Their win column only had two notches in it last year. This year’s game was another Tulane team altogether, though. There were whispers of it being a trap game, but Tulane didn’t fall in.
Leading into the week, Tulsa had emphasized avoiding big plays on defense. They started off the game better than last week by avoiding giving up a touchdown on the very first play. There may have been a 55-yard run against them on the second play, but it wasn’t the first play, and it wasn’t a touchdown, either. It took Tulane seven plays to get one of those. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it, mister!
He can run like the wind
Tulsa has players with talent, size, and athleticism all over the field. Backup quarterback and starter for the Tulane game, Braylon Braxton, is one of them, but he’s usually on the shelf. When on display, he’s 6’3″ 223 lbs. and he can run like the wind. That goes well with his rocket arm and ability to leap grown men in a single bound. Not bad for a redshirt freshman. He has a lot of potential and is getting the experience he needs to lead the Golden Hurricane into the future.
BRAYLON. FREAKING. BRAXTON. pic.twitter.com/xdBFOPW23E
— Oklahoma Sports Bros. (@OklahomaBro) November 5, 2022
Keylon Stokes is Tulsa’s all-time leader of receiving yards. Before Brin got hurt, he was leading the league in several receiving categories. There are few cornerbacks who can keep up with him, and even fewer who can contend against his ability. He is a pure joy to watch and would be a lethal weapon on any team. He’s almost certainly NFL-bound.
The Golden Hurricane have built a team that may well have a winning record if their starting senior quarterback Davis Brin could stay healthy. For his part, Brin has been outstanding when he’s been in there. In the right situation, and with a little luck, he may have even been in the running for the Heisman trophy.
Too Smooth‼️ @DavisBrin pic.twitter.com/ml2KiNHtYh
— 6 Points (@6pointsjax) March 17, 2022
The pitfall of the season
Unfortunately, as was already established, he has no luck. If there was ever a guy who deserved a reset button on a football year, he should be in consideration. Despite his toughness, Brin’s health has arguably been the pitfall of the season. He and his team have been riddled with injuries though, as well as a spiraling sense of utter hopelessness. It’s been a rough season in Green Country.
No matter the perspective, Tulane got the win and Tulsa did not. The Green Wave moved to 5-0 in The American. It’s their best start in school history in the conference. Since UCF also beat Memphis, Tulane will host two ranked teams next week for the first time since 1949.
Tulsa may be stacked with talent and unreached potential yet will not likely be remembered for anything except an occasional “what-if?” in some optimist’s brain. But if you were an attendee of the Bill Parcells school of thought, you’d be under the impression that the 2022 Golden Hurricane are a bad team, and there are no acceptable excuses. There are no takebacks. There are no reset buttons. Because, as the oft-quoted former NFL head coach once said, “You are what your record says you are”.
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
