TU to host Navy Saturday night

Tulsa couldn’t hold on to a fourth quarter lead and was edged by No. 21 SMU 37-47 in triple overtime Saturday night in Dallas.

The Golden Hurricane (2-3, 0-1 in the AAC) led by 21 points in the fourth quarter against the undefeated Mustangs (6-0, 2-0).

SMU managed three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to knot the score and force overtime. It was the first time that Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery had lost an overtime game after winning three. The last time Tulsa lost an overtime game was against Texas State in 2014.

TU went first in the initial overtime period and quarterback Zach Smith (a transfer from Baylor) hit Josh Johnson in the endzone to take a 37-30 lead. But SMU countered with a 3-yard scoring run by Xavier Jones.

In the second overtime, Manny Bunch of Tulsa forced a fumble that was recovered by TU’s Diamon Cannon. TU attempted a 43-yard field goal to win but it went wide left.

In the final overtime, TU kicker Zach Long tried a 42-yard field goal but it missed. SMU quarterback Shane Buechele (a transfer from Texas) hit James Proche for a 25-yard touchdown pass and SMU survived.

Smith was 23-for-41 for 346 passing yards and four touchdowns (his best this year). Wide receiver Keylon Stokes had five catches for 101 yards and two scores.

Running back Shamari Brooks had 95 yards rushing on 16 carries (5.9 yard average).

 Tulsa outgained SMU 500 to 440 yards but in the fourth period, the Mustangs gained 153 yards to Tulsa’s 40 yards. SMU also converted 6-of-6 4th downs in the final quarter and overtime. 

Tulsa returns to H.A. Chapman Stadium Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. game against the Navy Midshipmen. The game is Military Appreciation game, where retired and active military members will be recognized.

Navy is 3-1, with wins over Holy Cross, East Carolina and the Air Force Academy. The only loss was a 10-42 setback against No. 23 Memphis. The Midshipmen beat Air Force 34-25 last Saturday.

Tulsa is at the bottom of the West Division of the American Athletic Conference, tied with Houston with an 0-1 mark in the league. Navy is in third place at 1-1.

But two of Tulsa’s losses have come against Top-25 teams (No. 18 Michigan State and No. 24 SMU. Plus, Oklahoma State has been in the Top 25 this season.)

Coach Ken Niumatalolo is in his 13th season as the coach at Navy. Former Tulsa co-defensive coordinator Brian Norwood is now co-defensive coordinator at Navy.

Tulsa and Navy have met six times and Navy leads the series, 5-1. Tulsa’s only win was in 2006 in Annapolis.