Written by Erik Slaby
This Monday, 2:30 p.m. EST, the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (9-3), led by second-year head coach Phillip Montgomery, face off against the Central Michigan University Chippewas (6-6), led by second year head coach John Bonamego at Marlins Park in Miami, in the 3rd annual Miami Beach Bowl.
Tulsa has had a very good season this year, their second under head coach Phillip Montgomery. Last season, Tulsa finished with a 6-7 overall record and a loss in the Independence Bowl but this season they finished the regular season with a 9-3 record. Two of their three losses this year were against nationally ranked teams in at the time, 4th ranked Ohio State and 13th ranked Houston. Also, even in losses, Tulsa was a tough opponent. In their losses against Houston and Navy, Tulsa lost by a combined nine points.
The strength of this Tulsa team is their offense. They finished the year ranked 6th in the country in total offense and 8th overall in rushing offense. They were led in rushing by running back James Flanders who finished the year with 1,529 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 241 carries. Fellow running back D’Angelo Brewer also finished the season with over 1,000 yards on the ground with 1,330 yards rushing, on 247 carries and seven touchdowns.
While the rushing attack paved the way for Tulsa and their offensive success, the passing attack also held its own. Quarterback Dane Evans finished the season completing 231 passes out of 397 attempts for 3,044 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Keevan Lucas led the receiving group with 74 catches for 1,108 yards and 12 touchdowns. While the offense is the strength of Tulsa, their defense has played well in spurts and does have some key players that the Central Michigan offense will need to keep an eye on.
Linebacker Trent Martin leads Tulsa in tackles with 94, as well as interceptions with two on the year. Defensive lineman Jesse Brubaker and linebacker Petera Wilson are tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.5 apiece. As a whole, Tulsa has 27 sacks this season. The Central Michigan offense could be a tough matchup for this Tulsa team as they have a pretty good passing attack.
The Central Michigan passing attack is ranked 26th overall in the nation. The offense is led by quarterback Cooper Rush who has completed 254 of 416 passes for 3,299 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The receiving group is led by wide receiver Corey Willis who caught 68 passes for 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Running back Devon Spalding has led the rushing attack and finished with 737 yards rushing and six touchdowns. The Central Michigan defense may even be a bit better than their offense.
Central Michigan’s defense is ranked 43rd nationally in total defense and is 33rd in red zone defense. One player Tulsa will need to keep an eye on is defensive lineman Joe Ostman who leads the team in sacks with nine. He also has 64 tackles on the year. Linebacker Malik Fountain leads the team in tackles with 84. Defensive back Amari Coleman will also be a player to watch out for as he leads the team in interceptions with four.
With each team having strong offenses, this game could be an offensive shootout. Tulsa has been in several shootouts this year and have shown the ability to score points in bunches and quickly. While Central Michigan has not been in many shootouts, they can still put up points. The key in this game will be the defense. Whichever team’s defense shows the ability to get stops in critical situations, that team will win the game.
Tulsa has had a very good season this year, their second under head coach Phillip Montgomery. Last season, Tulsa finished with a 6-7 overall record and a loss in the Independence Bowl but this season they finished the regular season with a 9-3 record. Two of their three losses this year were against nationally ranked teams in at the time, 4th ranked Ohio State and 13th ranked Houston. Also, even in losses, Tulsa was a tough opponent. In their losses against Houston and Navy, Tulsa lost by a combined nine points.
The strength of this Tulsa team is their offense. They finished the year ranked 6th in the country in total offense and 8th overall in rushing offense. They were led in rushing by running back James Flanders who finished the year with 1,529 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 241 carries. Fellow running back D’Angelo Brewer also finished the season with over 1,000 yards on the ground with 1,330 yards rushing, on 247 carries and seven touchdowns.
While the rushing attack paved the way for Tulsa and their offensive success, the passing attack also held its own. Quarterback Dane Evans finished the season completing 231 passes out of 397 attempts for 3,044 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Keevan Lucas led the receiving group with 74 catches for 1,108 yards and 12 touchdowns. While the offense is the strength of Tulsa, their defense has played well in spurts and does have some key players that the Central Michigan offense will need to keep an eye on.
Linebacker Trent Martin leads Tulsa in tackles with 94, as well as interceptions with two on the year. Defensive lineman Jesse Brubaker and linebacker Petera Wilson are tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.5 apiece. As a whole, Tulsa has 27 sacks this season. The Central Michigan offense could be a tough matchup for this Tulsa team as they have a pretty good passing attack.
The Central Michigan passing attack is ranked 26th overall in the nation. The offense is led by quarterback Cooper Rush who has completed 254 of 416 passes for 3,299 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The receiving group is led by wide receiver Corey Willis who caught 68 passes for 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Running back Devon Spalding has led the rushing attack and finished with 737 yards rushing and six touchdowns. The Central Michigan defense may even be a bit better than their offense.
Central Michigan’s defense is ranked 43rd nationally in total defense and is 33rd in red zone defense. One player Tulsa will need to keep an eye on is defensive lineman Joe Ostman who leads the team in sacks with nine. He also has 64 tackles on the year. Linebacker Malik Fountain leads the team in tackles with 84. Defensive back Amari Coleman will also be a player to watch out for as he leads the team in interceptions with four.
With each team having strong offenses, this game could be an offensive shootout. Tulsa has been in several shootouts this year and have shown the ability to score points in bunches and quickly. While Central Michigan has not been in many shootouts, they can still put up points. The key in this game will be the defense. Whichever team’s defense shows the ability to get stops in critical situations, that team will win the game.