Tulsa
Golden Hurricane

The Golden Hurricane's one-point loss last week to Houston has forced Graham to shift priorities, at least for one season. With three C-USA losses, Tulsa is no longer in the running for a conference championship. A bowl bid is still a possibility, and the odds would greatly improve with a win Sunday against East Carolina.

"We've gotta be focused on one thing, and that's not taking a step backward. It's stepping forward by making sure we get this team to a bowl game and a bowl championship. That's what our guys are focused on," Graham said in the Tulsa World.

Tulsa has taken more steps backward this season than Graham would care to remember. It has suffered its first four-game losing streak under Graham. The losing streak has wiped out a home-field advantage in the second half of the season.

With four of its first five games on the road, Tulsa emerged 4-1. Since then, Tulsa has lost all three of its home games. In its quest to become bowl-eligible, Tulsa still has two of its final three games at home in Chapman Stadium.

"The minimum expectation around here is that you go to a bowl game, and the last two years, we've been to a bowl game and won it," Graham said.

--The Golden Hurricane are 0-3 against ranked opponents this season. The last time the team faced three ranked opponents in the same season was 1945 -- they lost all three games that season as well.

--In three meetings since Tulsa joined C-USA, the Golden Hurricane are 2-1 against the Pirates. The only loss for Tulsa came last season in the conference championship game.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The return of OL Tyler Holmes to the lineup after being out six weeks with an injury is both a physical and mental boost for the Golden Hurricane. QB G.J. Kin was sacked only once, but the line will be challenged against an aggressive East Carolina defense. With the margin for error almost non-existent, Tulsa will have to execute well and try to eliminate dropped passes and bad routes that have spelled trouble at critical times in previous games.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Over the more difficult part of its schedule, Tulsa has yet to play a solid defensive game. The Golden Hurricane have allowed at least four touchdowns in each of the past five games. Getting pressure on East Carolina QB Pat Pinkeye is crucial.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's not gonna be an easy road because we're playing the first-place team in the East, and probably as good a defensive team as we've played," -- Tulsa coach Todd Graham on East Carolina.

RB Charles Clay -- Clay showed his versatility last week with a career-high four touchdowns. He ran for two scores and caught two touchdown passes. Clay is the go-to guy when Tulsa gets close to the goal-line and leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.

QB G.J. Kinne -- He has settled in over the past three games and has shown an ability to control a game with his arm and legs. Kinne keeps his composure in the pocket and can make positive yardage when he is forced out of the pocket.

DB James Lockett -- Plays with abandon that causes trouble for opposing quarterbacks. Lockett is tied for the team lead with 7.5 tackles for loss and has four sacks, second-best on the team.

ROSTER REPORT:

DB John Flanders -- Started for the first time last week against Houston. Flanders became the sixth defensive back to earn a start for the Golden Hurricane this year.