For a team looking for answers going into the off-season, Saturday’s season finale against Temple at H.A. Chapman Stadium will provide Tulsa’s players a chance to prove themselves.

For the old guys, it will be a much-needed opportunity to finish on a positive note after a season that none of them imagined would have gone so wrong.

For the youngsters, it will be another chance to make a claim on playing time for next season. Because, after a poor season, coaches tend to throw just about all the positions up for grabs.

The best thing about the season for Tulsa (2-9, 1-6 AAC) has been that Tulsa native and Central graduate D’Angelo Brewer has become the all-time leader in rushing yards for the Golden Hurricane, setting the record last week at South Florida.

This record is a great thing for all, as Brewer is a terrific example for the youth of Tulsa of what can be accomplished by local kids. His gutty performance while clearly not 100 percent healthy at USF last week was amazing, as he gained 163 yards on 34 carries.

For Brewer, gaining 1,262 yards is truly a feat this season while teams gang up on the run due to Tulsa’s passing problems. With limited backfield options available after freshman sensation Shamari Brooks was injured, Brewer has had to shoulder almost all of the running game burden the last three games.

The issues in the passing game have been well-documented. Losing career passing yards leader Dane Evans, along with 1,000-yard receivers Keevan Lucas and Josh Atkinson has been rough. Nobody has stepped up anywhere near their level.

The most shocking statistic is that Tulsa passed for 33 touchdowns in 2016 (32 by Evans), but only has five touchdown passes this season. Considering the fact that Tulsa has played a lot of close games this year, that statistic alone should explain the Golden Hurricane’s fall from a 10-3 record.

Last week’s 27-20 loss at USF is a great microcosm for the entire season. It was a terrific effort playing a ranked team so closely on their home field. The game could have been won. But when Tulsa had a chance to drive and tie the game at the end, it didn’t happen.

Having Luke Skipper miss the end of the game due to an apparent concussion didn’t help. Chad President came in and gave it his best effort, but to no avail.

If one thing is to be learned from the season, President could likely be a difference maker at another position. A terrific kid and athlete, Tulsa needs to find another spot for him in 2018 if he is willing.

President is a good short yardage quarterback. He could continue that role while spending the majority of his time at either receiver, safety or even running back.

Skipper, whose playing status is uncertain for Saturday, has shown some positive things but also has shown inexperience after taking over for President at midseason. He throws a good deep ball, to be certain. He has gotten better at scrambling. He has some intangibles.

Skipper’s season has been much like when Evans took over for Cody Green in 2013 when Tulsa finished 3-9 after winning 11 games and the C-USA championship in 2012. Evans finished with 898 yards and four touchdown passes in 2013. Skipper has passed for 1,141 yards and two touchdowns this season.

The question is whether Skipper, a redshirt freshman this season like Evans was in 2013, will step up and have an outstanding career like Evans. Or will he even be the starter next season?

Whoever the quarterback is in 2018, he will need more help from his receivers. Justin Hobbs and Keenen Johnson played well, but neither had a breakout season. Without standout receivers, Tulsa is going to have trouble.

Keylon Stokes is the most intriguing of the young receivers. A true freshman, Stokes has five catches for 143 yards. The brother of Keevan Lucas could make a big step up next year. So could Josh Stewart, who showed ability when he started the first nine games as a redshirt freshman, catching 13 passes for 162 yards.

An overlooked area that hasn’t helped at all this season is punt returns. In an absolutely shocking statistic, Tulsa has only four punt return yards this year. Three returns for four yards.

Main returner Keidrien Wadley, who was terrific before being injured last season with 16 returns for 163 yards and a 10.2 average, has one return for zero yards this year. All of his other attempts have been fair catches.

Brewer, who briefly tried his hand this year returning punts, returned one punt for four yards. The previous low yardage amount for a lead returner since the statistics started being kept regularly in 1942 was Charlie Phillips with five returns for 26 yards in 1961. More recently, the low mark was 36 yards on nine returns in 2011 for J.D. Ratliff.

Seemingly small things like punt returns can win or lose close games. This Saturday against Temple, Tulsa will have to do the little things to win.

Temple (5-6, 3-4) is trying to become bowl eligible in coach Geoff Collins’ first season. It is a disappointing debut season after taking over for Matt Ruhle (who left for Baylor) after winning the AAC championship last season and playing in the championship game in 2015.

Quarterback Frank Nutile, who has been the starter the last four games (2-2 record), has been decent, although his four interceptions last week in a 45-19 loss at Central Florida doomed the Owls.

Temple’s offense has been nothing special, just like the Owls. Not one player has done anything to stand out. It averages only 23.2 points per game. On defense, Temple gives up 28.2 points per game.

The Owls have only one victory of any substance, defeating Navy (6-4, 4-3) 34-26. Their other victories have come over UMass (4-7), East Carolina (3-8, 2-5), Cincinnati (3-8, 1-6) and FBS Subdivision’s Villanova (16-13).

This is a game Tulsa can win. But to do so, it will have to have some resemblance of a passing game. A lot could be determined if Skipper can play. If not, Temple’s defense may stack the line of scrimmage more than normal, daring Tulsa to pass.

As has been the case for most of the season, Tulsa has to be able to pass some in order to win. A little success airing the ball out would be a great way for the 19 seniors to finish their careers.