By Tulsa University Sports    
Monday, 06 August 2007
Hurricane finishes first week of preseason drills

The University of Tulsa football team has been on the practice field for five days since the varsity reported on Tuesday. The Hurricane concluded the first week of drills with a two-hour Sunday morning practice on Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
 
“It was very productive for us to have the newcomers and freshman separate from the returning players for the first two days. The biggest thing that jumped out to me was our guys came back in great shape,” said Graham. “You can see their development through the summer program. We’re stronger and faster, and I think we’re in much better condition. We’re not close to being in the condition we need to be in to be the best-conditioned team in the country, but we’re in really good condition.”
 
“I’ve been really pleased. We’ve been focusing on trying to take care of the ball. Our first-team offense has been very, very stingy in giving the ball away,” said Graham. “Our first-team defense has been very good in getting turnovers. We had a lot of big plays today on offense.”  

The positions of most concern to the coaching staff entering the preseason were at wide receiver, offensive line and the secondary. “I really feel good about the speed at wide receiver and that position has really been developing. The position I’m feeling stronger and stronger about is the offensive line,” said Graham. “We’re also coming along in the secondary.
 
“On offense, we have seven offensive lineman, five wide receivers, four running backs and three quarterbacks that we feel really good about right now,” added Graham.
 
Tight end is another position on the offense that can have an impact on the offense as two seasoned players return.
 
Graham thought that Saturday’s evening practice was the best so far this preseason.
“The passion, intensity, focus and the improvement from a fundamental standpoint was evident last night. Overall it was a whole lot better,” said Graham.
 
One area we’re making a whole lot of improvement in is the kicking game. I’m really pleased so far. The key for us from this point is to stay healthy. We have to stay healthy and get a little bit better everyday,” added Graham.
 
Tulsa practiced only once on Sunday.  For more on Tulsa football, click here.

Last Updated ( Monday, 06 August 2007 )