The Wiz of Odds

Living on Tulsa Time

Imagine telling your wife or girlfriend that you would be home late because the start of Saturday's Oklahoma State-Tulsa game, which you planned to attend, was 9:10 p.m. (Central).

Chances are you had some serious explaining to do. The game didn't end until 3:35 a.m. Sunday.

Shortly after the National Anthem, officials from the National Weather Service advised Tulsa officials that severe weather was about to descend on the Golden Hurricanes' H.A. Chapman Stadium. The teams were ordered to leave the field and fans were advised to seek shelter. All but one did.

Heavy rain and cloud-to-ground lightning arrived at 9:15 and the wait began. Fox Sports Net announcers J.C. Pearson, above left, and Ron Thulin kept viewers updated on conditions, and their frustrations grew as the delay passed the two-hour mark.

Tulsa

Bill Blankenship takes over the coaching duties at Tulsa, replacing Todd Graham, who left to become coach at Pittsburgh. September will be a big month for the Golden Hurricane. The team opens at Oklahoma on Sept. 3 and plays host to Oklahoma State on Sept. 17.

Click the image for an enlarged view. Thanks to Don.

Rule No. 1: Tulsa Committed Infraction on Final Play

It's a moot point now, but East Carolina likely saved somebody's arse by scoring on the last play in Sunday's wild 51-49 victory against Tulsa.

Justin Jones used his 6-foot-8 frame to soar above Golden Hurricane defenders and snare the winning pass in the end zone, video of which you can watch here. But as you can see from this frame grab, there were two Tulsa players wearing uniform No. 1, a no-no according Kevin Donahue of FanBlogs.

According to Rule 1, Section 4, Article 2, c: No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical numbers (A.R. 1-4-2-II) [S23].

It's a five-yard penalty and the down would have been replayed. It's unclear, however, if officials noticed the two players wearing No. 1. Had they missed it, Conference USA officials would have been hearing about it all week.

If the officials had called a penalty, the Tulsa coaching staff would have some explaining to do, especially if East Carolina converted on the second opportunity.

Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane stumbled through a 5-7 season in 2009, and Todd Graham will have to guide his team through some bumpy spots to get back in the postseason. Tulsa has to make it count on the road and that won't be easy. The schedule includes trips to East Carolina, Oklahoma State, Notre Dame and Houston.

As a run up to the start of the season, the Wiz will display one poster each day until our supply is exhausted. Last year, the site displayed 69 posters.

Then we turn it over to readers, who will vote on the poster of the year. In the meantime, send your team's poster schedule to jayzuma (at) gmail.com.

Click the image for an enlarged view. Thanks to Don!

Were Tulsa Players Faking Injuries Against Houston?

Tulsa coach Todd Graham is the most hated man in Houston.

Cougar athletic director Mack Rhoades, along with several of his coaches and players, have alleged that Graham ordered Golden Hurricane defensive ends Cory Dorris and George Clinkscale to fake injuries during Saturday night's game at Tulsa, won by Houston, 46-45.

Steve Campbell of the Houston Chronicle writes: "Again and again, Dorris and Clinkscale went down with disabling injuries that required the referees to stop play. Again and again, Dorris and Clinkscale mustered the strength and courage to come back from their afflictions — sometimes returning to the game on the next play. Again and again, Tulsa defenders were so distraught by the sight of their fallen comrades that they gathered with the coaches on the sideline for guidance and spiritual support.

"With no regard to their personal safety or well-being, Dorris and Clinkscale re-injured themselves and returned to the field until what turned out to be a bitter end for the home team. Tulsa coach Todd Graham apparently had no regard for the safety or well-being of Dorris and Clinkscale, either, because he allowed them to keep playing despite repeated injuries.

'Stick It in Your Pipe and Smoke It, Baby!'

Great call by the Houston Cougar radio team of Tom Franklin and Ted Pardee of walk-on freshman kicker Matt Hogan's 51-yard field goal to beat Tulsa, 46-45, on the final play of Saturday night's game.

The Cougars scored a touchdown to pull within 45-43 with 21 seconds remaining, but misfired on a two-point conversion. Houston then recovered the onside kick and Case Keenum completed two passes for 27 yards to set up the final play.