Kinne sat out last year after transferring from the University of Texas. He did not play at Texas in 2007. The last time that Kinne played in a game was as a high school senior at Gilmer (Texas) High School. He was a prep All-American as a senior after passing for 3,216 yards and 47 touchdowns with only one interception.
 
He finished his pre career third in Texas high school history in passing yards with 11,695 and second in touchdown passes with 130.
 
Kinne had been battling with junior Jacob Bower and true freshman Shavodrick beaver for the starting quarterback position.
 
"It was a body of work. We need for G.J. just to manage the game and use the talent that surrounds him," said Graham. "The quarterback competition has been extremely competitive, the most competitive that I¹ve been around in my coaching career."  The Tulsa-Tulane game will be televised on ESPN at 7 pm.