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TU Spring Football: Newcomer shines in scrimmage

Much concentration has been placed on the passing attack of Tulsa's hurry-up, no-huddle offensive attack this spring.

by: ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
4/1/2007 2:26 AM




Jamad Williams makes an impact on the ground with 84 yards.
Much concentration has been placed on the passing attack of Tulsa's hurry-up, no-huddle offensive attack this spring.

What can't be forgotten is the importance of the running game, especially with talented backs like Courtney Tennial and Tarrion Adams returning in 2007.

TU's rushing attack -- led by newcomer Jamad Williams -- took center stage during Saturday's 103-play scrimmage at Skelly Stadium.

Williams finished with a scrimmage-high 84 yards on 21 carries and had three runs of nine yards or more. The redshirt freshman from Midwest City added an 11-yard reception during the cool morning workout.

Tennial and Adams saw limited action, which allowed Williams to run around and through the Hurricane defense at times.

"I thought Jamad Williams stood out today," TU coach Todd Graham said. "He's a guy that's really stepped up at running back."

Tennial (six rushes, 33 yards) and Adams (7-26) remain the leaders of a running attack that will be needed for TU to have success next season.

"We're going to adjust what we're doing to the skills and the talents of the players we have and right now. (Number) 20 (Tennial) and 25 (Adams) are guys that we have to get the ball to a whole bunch," Graham said.

"We're going to be able to run the football. That's what you have to do to win football games."

It's also why Graham lured Herb Hand from West Virginia to become TU's co-offensive coordinator. Hand was an assistant coach on a Mountaineers offense that ranked second nationally in rushing last season.

His fingerprints are all over TU's run game.

"The best part about it is as we have success with it, it builds confidence," Hand said. "That's what you see happening now. It's the sixth practice, and you can see the kids get more confidence."

During TU's scrimmage, the offense had 61 run plays against only 37 passes. The offense had 184 yards on the ground compared to 187 through the air.

Adams said versatility is a key in learning his new role in the no-huddle spread offense attack.

"We get to spread a lot of guys out and make them play in space," Adams said. "The biggest adjustment for me right now is spreading out and learning how to play both as a receiver and a running back and how to do certain things that receivers do well."

The offense isn't exclusive to running backs carrying the football. The quarterbacks are running option keepers, receivers are blowing around on sweeps and power guys like Cody Madison and Jacob Frank are getting rushes for the first time in their careers.

"We're heading in the right direction," Adams said. "There's a lot of work to be done, but we have a good grasp of the situation ahead of us right now.

"I'm not satisfied with where we're at, but I like the improvements that we're making."


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Eric Bailey 581-8391
[email protected]


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