2009 Week 12

Nobody gave Tulsa a chance, not even their coach, but last night they did what so many thought was impossible due to the tremendous talent gap of the two squads, they knocked off the #2 Southern Miss Golden Eagles...at The Rock. At the end of the day not only did it give the rest of the C-USA West hope, but it was the absolute biggest win of Coach Jimmy Miles career, and maybe the universities as well. The upset moved the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to 5-6 (3-4) and has possibly re-lit the flame of bowl hopes for the Hurricane. Meanwhile, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles fell to a still staggering 10-1 (6-1) and will still represent the East in the C-USA conference championship game.

"All year I've preached that if our defense could make some relatively consistent stops so that our offense could get some momentum we could play with anyone," said Coach Miles after the game, "We were close against Boise (#1) earlier this year but I have to be honest, after the last three I was convinced we'd given up. We executed our gameplan, protected the ball, and most important we didn't try to get too wild, we stayed simple and kept them on their toes, then we held on for dear damn life!"

Offensively the 'Cane sparkled for almost the entire day. The kicked it off with a 3:40 drive to punch in for six to start the game and never looked back, especially in the first half. On the day the option attack was as potent as we have ever seen as not only did freshman halfback Tony Peoples prance and dance for 109 yards and a TD on only 12 carries but the sophomore quarterback Kinne managed 36 yards and a score along with 176 through the air. The most impressive thing about Kinne though was how the ran the option, particularly the triple option as Southern Miss was on their heels enough because of Kinne's tenaciousness that junior fullback Charles Clay had an astounding 16 carries for an even 100 yards and 3 amazing touchdowns. On the day the offense racked up 477 yards with the rushing attack going for a stifling 53 carries for 301 yards and 5 touchdowns not to mention 6-6 on 3rd downs in the first half that helped give them a 28-0 lead at the half.

More impressive to many that witnessed the game was the typically lackluster defense. It all rooted from the defensive line play, particularly the much picked on defensive ends as they managed to cause 6 huge sacks against Southern Miss' two senior tackles. "They had a real chip on their shoulder today, I dont know where in the hell that performance came from but its what we had to have to even hope to compete with a team as good as they are," said Miles. The defense held three separate times on 3rd and 1's and even force two interceptions and a fumble caused.

Afterward in the chaos of the mobs of celebrations and shock-waves caused in C-USA Miles issued a warning to the rest of the C-USA West when it came to the Golden Eagles being human:
"What alot of guys around the conference are going to fail to realize is that Southern Miss really is as damn good as they have been billed today, we got the breaks we needed when we needed em' and by some miracle were able to hold them off. To those thinking about Southern Miss not being invincible, make sure you check that at the door when/if you play, they are not to be taken likely and I would not want to be the ones that had to play them now."

With possible bowl hopes alive if they get some help around the conference Miles and his Golden Hurricane will finish their season hosting the Memphis Tigers on senior night. The 'Cane simply cannot afford a hangover like the SMU game earlier this year.

Let's Go 'Canes!