Graham's message: Tulsa won't be intimidated

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By Bob Hersom

TULSA — Tulsa's football team won't use tricks and won't be intimidated Friday night when fourth-ranked Oklahoma comes to town.

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Those were two of the messages Monday at TU coach Todd Graham's weekly press conference.

"You're not going to trick Bob Stoops and Brent Venables,” Graham said of OU's head coach and defensive coordinator. "That's not the idea of our offense anyway. I mean, a lot of people think that we tricked BYU. We didn't trick BYU.”

TU's new no-huddle, spread offense did stick BYU, however, winning a 55-47 scoreathon that lasted four hours Saturday night at H.A. Chapman.

But while that wild win boosted the confidence of TU's offense, which gained 595 yards, it didn't help the confidence of the TU defense that allowed 694 yards. Especially with the mighty Sooners coming in Friday night.

"Not many people are probably giving us a chance,” Graham said. "And that's just right where we want to be.”

The Golden Hurricane say they won't be intimidated by OU. They remember the last time they played the Sooners, in Norman two years ago. OU pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning 31-15.

"I have a great deal of respect for their program, and our players have a great deal of respect for their program,” Graham said. "But I think in '05 when we went there, I think people were surprised and so were we. Know what I mean? That was my impression of it.

"I think people were surprised that we were still in the game in the fourth quarter, and I think so were we. I think our kids will learn something from that.

"You take the great football powers and a lot of times they win in the pregame warmup because of the logo on the side of their heads... I think our guys know we can play with them.”

TU quarterback Paul Smith completed 24 of 36 passes for 246 yards, with one interception, two years ago. The interception was returned for a touchdown.

Smith grew up in Midwest City, Edmond Deer Creek and Owasso. When asked if he'd been looking forward to an OU rematch, he answered jokingly.

"No, no, one game at a time, you know?,” Smith said with a laugh. "But, no, I think people want to talk about it, and I think this game's probably been in the back of everybody's head last spring and in fall camp and in the summer. Yeah, of course you're thinking about it, wanting to be 2-0 before we played OU. I think it's a game that everybody's been anticipating.”

OU is 3-0 and has outscored its opponents 184-26. The Sooners lead the nation in scoring (61.3).

"We're putting our undefeated record on the line, and we're putting it on the line against probably the best team in the country, in my opinion,” Graham said. "But I can tell you, for me personally, I was a lot more nervous when we played Louisiana-Monroe, because we were supposed to win that one.

"I kinda like this game. I'm having fun with this game.”

Smith, off to the best start of his college career, plans to have some fun, too. After two games he is fifth in NCAA passing efficiency and sixth in total offense. He has completed 43 of 66 passes for 761 yards and eight touchdowns.

"When I played them in '05, I wasn't really intimidated,” Smith said.”"You can't get scared at moments like this. There's a lot of people watching on TV and in the crowd who would love to be in your shoes.

"I think our guys realize, yeah, we're playing one of the best teams in the nation, but there's nothing to be scared about because this is an opportunity. I think when you view it like that, and realize how blessed we are to be able to play the game, that it kind of puts things in perspective.”

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