Game Prep: Tulsa at Fresno State
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. CST Saturday, September 24, 2016
WHERE: Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA
STREAMING: Mountain West Network
SERIES: Fresno State leads 4-2
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Tulsa defense versus Fresno State offense. The Hurricane defense has been massively improved in its first three games of 2016, and Saturday poses another opportunity to continue that trend. The Bulldogs are tied for 120th nationally with just 94 rushing yards per game, while the Tulsa defense is 63rd against the run, giving up a modest 149 yards per game on the ground. This should work to TU’s advantage, if they can force Fresno to become one dimensional.
Tulsa’s secondary has been strong, allowing just 209 yards per game and three touchdowns through the air while collecting three interceptions. Fresno State is 58th in passing offense at 240 yards per game, but has completed just 53-percent of their passes with three interceptions. If TU can force Fresno into third-and-long situations, it could be a long day for the Bulldogs, who have converted on just 12 of 44 third-down attempts.
Fresno State's starting quarterback, Chason Virgil, is just a redshirt freshman. The dual-threat athlete can make plays with his arm or his feet, but his inexperience has been costly at times for the Bulldogs. Expect Tulsa to try and rattle Virgil early and often.
"We've got to do a good job of keeping (Virgil) under wraps and not letting the receivers kind of get out and away from us, limiting those big plays and shutting down the run like we've done each and every week," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery.
2. Tulsa running game versus Fresno State front seven. The Hurricane’s ground attack has excelled so far. D’Angelo Brewer and James Flanders have combined for 439 yards and five touchdowns in three games. Brewer leads the way with 5.5 yards per carry.
Saturday could be another big day on the ground for Tulsa, as Fresno State has given up seven rushing touchdowns and an average of 235 rushing yards per game. If TU’s offensive line continues its physical play, they should be able to open holes against a defense allowing 5.1 yards per rushing attempt.
If the Hurricane gets the ground game going early and forces Fresno to compensate, TU will get the opportunity for some deep shots down field off of play action.
3. Tulsa punt return team. Fresno State leads the country with 26 punts, almost nine per game. The Hurricane blocked two punts last week and has a dynamic return man in Keidrien Wadley.
Wadley averaged 26 yards per punt return last week, including a 60-yard effort. He is currently 12th nationally with an average of 16.75 yards per return. Wadley does need to make sure he secures the ball, as a few punts have slipped through his hands, but he should get the opportunity to give Tulsa good field position.
• Hurricane trending up as TU travels to Fresno State
• Tulsa’s defense has shined in first three games
• Looking back at two previous TU-FSU games
• Tulsa at Fresno State – Game Week Newsstand
• Tulsa Football: Inside the Numbers
• Special Teams provide big boost for TU
• Hurricane making strides on offense