When it comes to both his team’s overall performance and its offense, one word comes to mind for Tulsa coach Tre Lamb — close.
It might not have looked that way at times against Tulane last Saturday, when the Hurricane allowed six sacks and 13 tackles for loss in a 31-14 defeat.
Lamb, however, senses a breakthrough is coming, both in the win-loss column and on the scoreboard.
“I think it’s close,” Lamb said. “I think it’s close to an explosion. I think we’ve had some tough opponents. Tulane, by far top to bottom, is the best defense we’ve played.
“It’s not like we’re abysmal as far as moving the football. We’re still getting 400 yards a game. Even after watching tape again this morning with our OC (offensive coordinator Brad Robbins), we both feel like there’s a 35-, 42-point game out there somewhere.”
It just may not happen this week. TU is at Memphis at 7 p.m. Saturday, and the Tigers have allowed more than 26 points just once this season — two weeks ago in a 32-31 win over Arkansas.
“They’re good enough to beat Arkansas, good enough to hold Troy to hardly nothing (a 28-7 Memphis win),” Lamb said. “You watch the tape this Monday, and you’re just trying to find something right now.
“Where can we get a matchup? Where can we get a motion? Where can we create space.”
The Hurricane tried to create some of those matchups against Tulane by utilizing trick plays. A reverse flea flicker created a wide-open 51-yard pass play from quarterback Baylor Hayes to receiver Grayson Tempest. TU’s first touchdown came when backup Stephen Kittleman came in at quarterback and handed the ball to defensive lineman Tim Hardiman, who was lined up in the backfield.
The Hurricane recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. But according to Lamb, games can’t be won on trickery alone.
“I think you have to be very cautious where you’re calling it in the field of play,” Lamb said. “I think there’s a balance. You can’t go into a game and call seven trick plays. I think two or three. We carry a couple from each hash (mark).
“A lot of times you’re just looking for explosives, and explosive plays are hard to find for us right now just to be honest.”
Part of creating explosive plays comes from being able to protect. Lamb made shifts to his offensive line in advance of the Oklahoma State game, and TU didn’t allow a sack.
But blocking Tulane’s front was an entirely different matter. And it didn’t help that starting tackles JaQuan Adams and Cam East missed time in the game with minor injuries — both are expected to play against Memphis. So to is receiver Micah Tease, who missed the Tulane game with a hamstring injury.
For receiver Zion Steptoe, who made his first start of the season in place of Tease, increased success on offense is more mental than physical.
“I think in order for us to be more productive and to score more points, it’s going to take a complete wiping of our mind from anything that’s happened in the past, good or bad,” said Steptoe, who had three catches for 26 yards against the Green Wave. “It’s going to take practice Tuesday at 3 p.m. and focus on fundamentals, continue to grow as individuals, and then come collectively and then be better.
“Usually that results in more points whenever you can focus on the process of being better.”
sports@tulsaworld.com
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Michael Peters
Tulsa World TU Sports Reporter
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