INSIDE SLANT

A bowl game and a winning season are out the window. Tulsa (4-7, 2-5 Conference USA) is mired in a six-game losing streak and will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2004, the last time it had a losing season.

Tulsa’s 44-34 loss to Southern Miss brought up a reoccurring issue that has haunted the Golden Hurricane during their losing streak—the defense continues to give up big plays. Southern Miss gave up touchdown passes of 95, 60 and 34 yards. The Golden Eagles average more than 23 yards per completion.

“They’re a very explosive offense and (DeAndre Brown’s) the real deal, but on the same hand, you just can’t give up cheap plays like that,” Tulsa head coach Todd Graham told the Tulsa World. “We were wanting to bracket (Brown), and at least one of those (long touchdown passes) was a busted coverage, and you can’t do that, especially when we’ve got them penned in down there and they throw the long touchdown.”

Busted coverages are not the only issue for the Tulsa defense. Tulsa put very little pressure on Southern Miss quarterback. The unit had no interceptions, no quarterback hurries and two sacks. Tulsa has not had an interception in the past four games and it has a minus-one turnover ratio.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The six-game losing streak is Tulsa’s longest since 2002, when it lost seven in a row to start the season and finished 1-11.

• WR Damaris Johnson had 196 yards receiving vs. Southern Miss to give him more than 1,000 yards on the season. He became the first player in Tulsa history to have at least 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons.

• The loss to Southern Miss puts an end to the Golden Hurricane streak of four straight bowl appearances. Tulsa had won two straight and was 3-1 in that stretch.

Game Ball Goes To:   RB Charles Clay—Clay scored a career-high four touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving. It was the sixth time in his career that he has had at least two touchdowns. Clay had 142 yards receiving and 162 yards total offense. His ability to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield gives the Golden Hurricane offense another dimension.

Keep An Eye On:   DB Dexter McCoil—The freshman has developed into one of the mainstays in the Tulsa secondary. He stepped up against Southern miss with a game-high 12 tackles, including one for a loss.

Quote To Note:   “It’s been a rough year. We hadn’t gotten it done. It’s been very frustrating at times, especially in the last weeks where we’ve lost a lot of close games.”—Tulsa coach Todd Graham.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   QB G.J. Kinne proves every week that he can flourish and move the offense in the face of constant pressure. Kinne accounted for 474 yards, including 88 yards rushing and one touchdown. He also completed about 75 percent of his passes for 396 yards.

Still Needs Work:   Turnovers have played a huge part in the past two losses. With a fumble returned for a touchdown by Southern Miss, the Golden Hurricane have had four touchdowns scored on them by interception or fumble returns in the past two games. The defense is giving up too many big plays. Southern Miss completed only 12 passes, but three went for touchdowns. The Golden Eagles scored on pass plays of 95, 60 and 34 yards.

Roster Report:  

• WR A.J. Whitmore played for the first time in three weeks and caught a pass. He had missed the Houston and East Carolina games with a concussion.

• WR Slick Shelley dressed out but did not play for the second straight week. Shelley was injured in the first quarter of the Houston game.

• OL Clint Anderson missed part of the second quarter with an apparent leg injury but returned in the second half