TU Prevails In OT, Beats FAU In Season Opener

Tulsa's season opener was a success. The team landed a 47-44 overtime win against Florida Atlantic in its first game under Head Coach Philip Montgomery.

Game Synopsis

Dane Evans and Keevan Lucas were a dynamic duo, dictating the game late in the first quarter. Evans connected with Lucas at minute mark 2:45 to tie the game 7-all. Evans soon followed up with a nine-yard score to give Tulsa its first lead.

Early in quarter two, Evans found his mainstay once again (Lucas), this time in the end zone, advancing the Golden Hurricane lead 21-7.

At this point, you could tell that Tulsa had taken to Montgomery's Baylor style offense. The team’s passing game looked much crisper than last year.

The Owls attempted to match Tulsa's momentum before halftime, when senior quarterback Jaquez Johnson connected with his favored receiver Jenson Stoshak for a touchdown, decreasing TU's lead 21-14.

TU's secondary began to look deplorable, getting burnt on multiple plays. The offense also lacked a run game, failing to keep drives alive.

After the half, FAU battled back to take a 24-21 lead when Jay Warren made his way 38 yards into the end zone. The Owls now controlled the game, turning turnovers into scores.

The Golden Hurricane looked like they were beginning to crumble until Zack Langer found the end zone, making it a three-point game once again (31-28). Tulsa now looked like they were trying to establish the run game they needed.

On fourth-and-goal, with just under seven minutes left in the third, the Owls scored an uncontested touchdown, escalating its lead to ten (38-28).

TU's lack of defensive help was evident and needed to be corrected in order to win.

With 5:41 left in the game, Redford Jones kicked a 32-yard field goal for the Golden Hurricane to tie the game 38-all.

The game heated up in the final few minutes. At the 3:53 mark, FAU hit a field goal to put them ahead by three (41-38). But TU didn't back down, countering with a field goal, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime

Tulsa won the toss and began OT on defense. 

The Golden Hurricane defense stepped up at a much needed moment, forcing the Owls to kick, boosting their lead 44-41.

In a clutch effort to prevail, Langer ran it in, landing TU a 47-44 opening victory.

Up Next

The Golden Hurricane will take on New Mexico Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.