Hurricane just happy to return to a bowl
While other teams in college football might not be that fired up about playing in a bowl, the opportunity to play another game is significant for the University of Tulsa.
Five games were wiped off the schedule because of C OVID -19, and the Hurricane made its other eight games count, winning six in a row in the American Athletic Conference and going toe-to-toe with league champion Cincinnati in Saturday's title game before falling 27-24 on a walk-off field goal.
“It' s been a fantastic year for us ,” coach Philip Montgomery said. “We went down to the wire the other night, but still I can' t be more proud of these young men and what they've done and the type of season that they've had.
“Now we get an opp ort unity to continue to play one more game and to have a chance to play in such a great bowl and be apart of this experience, I know we' re looking forward to it and I' m excited for our players.”
T U, ranked No .22 in the final Associated Press rankings with a 6- 2 record,
will meet Mississippi State on Dec .31 in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. The Hurricane hasn't played in a bowl since 2016, when the team defeated Central Michigan 55- 10 in the Miami Beach Bowl.
“Some of these guys haven' t had the opportunity togo play in a bowl, so this will be their first experience ,” Montgomery said. “We know it's going to be different from the normal just because of the virus and the way the bowl structure has changed a little bit, but it's going to be a fantastic experience and I know our guys are looking forward to it and ready togo enjoy it .”
For the seniors who won' t return in 2021, they have another opportunity to end their careers with a victory, having endured three consecutive losing seasons before being part of the turn around that could set the stage for more success in the coming years.
“Throughout this time I've seen a lot of ups and down sand it' s been a blessing to see how a championship team is created ,” senior running back Corey Taylor I I said .“I believe this Tulsa team is definitely a championship team. I'm so excited to see what they do next year.”
Playing an SEC team —even one with a losing record — brings excitement for the Hurricane, which hasn' t defeated a top-tier opponent since the historic Notre Dame win in 2010. The 3- 7 Bulldogs have made 11 consecutive bowl appearances.
“From a fan standpoint, I think it' s going to be a great game to come watch and see f or those who get to come,” Montgomery said. “Those watching on TV, obviously I think it will be a great game from a matchup standpoint.”
TU has 62 players from Texas on its roster and will play in the Lone Star State for the first time this season.
“Generally we' re playing at least one game down there, whether that's at SMU or whether that' s at Houston ,” Montgomery said. “We were supposed to go to Houston this year. ... For the guys from that area, it will be special to play this game in Fort Worth .”