After a thrilling overtime victory against FAU in the season opener, head coach Philip Montgomery and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team tackled their first road test of the season, against New Mexico.
The Hurricane were unfazed by the long trip, beating the Lobos by a score of 41–20.
Before Saturday’s game, Tulsa has had mixed results out west as of late. Before losing to Colorado State 42–17 last year, the Hurricane beat UTEP in El Paso by a score of 34–20 in 2013.
Tulsa picked back up right where they left off with their offensive tear, gaining an even 600 yards of offense on 89 plays.
Running backs Zack Langer and D’Angelo Brewer both rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Dane Evans passed for 321 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.
In addition to the running backs, the receiving corps also enjoyed a pair of 100-yard games. Both Keyarris Garrett and Joshua Atkinson had over 100 yards, with Atkinson and Keevan Lucas on the other end of Evans’s two touchdown passes.
The defense also showed some improvement from the Week 1 shootout, allowing 173 less yards than the previous week. Additionally, New Mexico was successful on only 4 out of 15 third down conversion attempts.
“We changed some things on what we were doing with the quarterback and the pitch guy,” Montgomery said about the changes with the defense this week.
Lobos quarterback Lamar Jordan was held to 102 yards and only one touchdown, while also giving up one interception.
The single player that Tulsa had issues with was Dameon Gamblin, who caught eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m feeling great right now. Any time you can go on the road against a quality opponent, … to be able to come in here and get us a win—it’s just a great team win—all 3 teams; defensively, offensively, and special teams,” coach Montgomery had to say about the win.
Next week, Tulsa travels to Norman to play the #17 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. This will be Coach Montgomery’s first game against a ranked opponent.
A bye week follows this game, and then the Hurricane finally returns home October 3rd to play the Houston Cougars.
