Although as a team, Tulsa gives up 28.8 points, actually the defense has only given up 23.9 points per game and that’s against a schedule that has included the AP’s current No. 3 CINCINNATI, No. 5 OHIO STATE and No. 9 OKLAHOMA STATE … Tulsa held Cincinnati to 28 points, Ohio State 41 and Oklahoma State 28… the Tulsa defense has kept the Hurricane in each game until late in the contest.
Coach Joseph Gillespie has been the pioneer for Tulsa changing from a 4-man front to a 3-3-5 scheme that began since the 2018 season … since making the change, Tulsa’s defensive improvement has been immense … In the 4-year span to current numbers, opponent total offense went down 142.7 yards, opponent rushing has gone down 110.9 yards, passing yards down 31.8 yards and opponent scoring is down 13.6 points … sine the start of the 2018 season Tulsa’s defense has only allowed 3 of its last 43 opponents to total over 500 yards of total offense … he was named the FootballScoop linebacker national coach of the year last season after coaching LB Zaven Collins to consensus All-America mention and the 2020 Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Award.
Tulsa has 59 TFL for -179 yards, 20 QB sacks for -101 yards, 34 pass breakups, ranked 20th for 4th down conversion defense, 30th for fumbles recovered and 37th for red zone defense.
Linebacker Justin Wright shared the team-lead with 63 tackles, 5.5 TFL for -20 yards, 3.5 sacks for -16, 1 INT for 55-yard TD, while missing one game…
Linebacker Yohance Burnett has 53 tackles and 3.5 TFL for -6 yards …
Defensive tackle Jaxon Player has 36 tackles, 10 TFL for -26 yards, 3.5 sacks for -16 yards and 5 QB hurries to lead the front line …
Corner Tyon Davis shares the team-lead with 63 tackles and has 8 PBUs.
