Bulldogs head to hostile territory

Originally Published: October 7, 2003

By Ed Graney | Special to ESPN.com

Tulsa trailed Hawaii 16-3 early, a game they certainly would have not rallied to win in recent times. But it's a new season with a different attitude, and first-year coach Steve Kragthorpe's team already has the program's most wins (three) since 2000. "I think our kids are doing a great job of tempering everything that has happened," said Kragthorpe, whose side takes its three-game win streak to Boise State this week. "It's exciting. We're playing well and gaining some attention, but I'm also seeing things like our players here at 7 a.m. each morning looking for film on the next opponent. As a coach, that's very encouraging."

Tulsa has the league's defensive Player of the Week in senior lineman Jeremy Davis, who went for six tackles and three sacks in the victory against Hawaii. He was also credited with two quarterback hurries against Hawaii junior Timmy Chang. "We had to disrupt the timing of their offense," said Kragthorpe. "Jeremy did a great job for us. We had to pick our spots to pressure (Chang), because he is so good at getting the ball up quickly."

Junior quarterback James Kilian continues to impress, having passed for 852 yards and owning a team-best rushing average of 63.4. "He is a very unselfish guy and players in the huddle see it," said Kragthorpe. "He makes guys play a little better than what they're maybe capable of."

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