Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: In his first year at the helm of the Tulsa program, Todd Graham led the Golden Hurricane to a third straight bowl game and a 10- win campaign. The 10 victories tied a school record and included a 63-7 punishing of Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl. Tulsa set countless school and conference records last season and won the Conference USA West Division title for the second time in three years with a 6-2 ledger. The Hurricane though, suffered two of its losses to UCF, dropping a 44-23 decision during the regular season and a 44-25 outcome in the C-USA title game.

Despite those losses, Tulsa had a remarkable campaign that was highlighted by a powerful offense, which rolled up 41 points per game and led the nation with an average of 543.9 total yards per game.

OFFENSE: The Hurricane's hurry-up, no-huddle offense torched opposing defenses last season and made a star of quarterback Paul Smith, who is now gone after throwing for 5,065 yards and 47 touchdowns in 2007. Filling those shoes will be hard to do, but Tulsa is confident that senior David Johnson can get the job done. The 6-3, 217-pound Johnson was a backup in this complex system last season and that should give him the confidence to be successful in 2008. The return of nearly every starter on the offensive side of the ball should also help ease Johnson's transition into starter and coach Graham understands the importance of the quarterback in this system.

"Our quarterback will have to manage the game and not turn over the football, operate the offense and distribute the ball to the multitude of talented guys we have on the offensive side of the ball. "We don't look to miss a beat offensively. The key to our offensive productivity will be the quarterback position."

Two weapons that Johnson will surely utilized are wideouts Brennan Marion and Trae Johnson. Marion, a 6-1 senior, came to Tulsa as a juco transfer last year and broke onto the scene by catching 39 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged an amazing 31.9 yards per catch, displaying his big play capability. As for Trae Johnson, he is a 5-11 sophomore that paced the Hurricane with 70 receptions and 13 touchdowns. He also racked up 1,088 receiving yards as a freshman and the sky is the limit for this big time talent. The receiving corps may be highlighted by this duo, but it is deep and talented, just ask Graham.

"We have a very, very talented group of receivers. I believe it's one of the top-5 receiving groups in the country."

With the primary focus being on the passing game, the ground attack often gets overlooked, but it shouldn't. Much like the rest of the offense, the Hurricane are loaded at tailback, with senior Tarrion Adams leading the charge. Last season, the 6-1, 210-pound Adams was thrust into a starting role and he responded by rushing for 1,225 yards and eight touchdowns and catching 30 passes for 301 yards and three more scores. Senior Courtney Tennial was supposed to be the centerpiece of the offense last season, but he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in August and missed the season. Now fully healthy, expect Tennial to regain his form from 2006, when he rushed for 845 yard and 14 scores. Another weapon in the backfield is sophomore Charles Clay, who is listed as a fullback though that is deceiving. The 6-3, 222-pound Clay made an immediate impact as a freshman and was a big threat in the passing game, registering 69 catches for 1,024 yards and eight scores. He speed an athleticism will surely cause problems for opposing linebackers once again.

The offensive line welcomes back four starters from a year ago, with senior Rodrick Thomas highlighting the group. The 6-5, 355-pound Thomas is a load and he will anchor a line that rarely gets any rest due to the hurry-up offense.

DEFENSE: Tulsa lost all three starting linebackers and two safeties from a year ago, but a change in personnel may not be a bad thing considering the defense was torched for 451.9 total ypg last season. Up front, it starts with seniors Moton Hopkins and Terrel Nemons. The 6-3, 270-pound Hopkins emerged into a big time player last season, notching 71 tackles, while the 6-4, 330- pound Nemons has the size to dominate the middle and stop the run. A strong recruiting class and several key reserves from last year gives the line depth and has coach Graham excited.

"We have a multitude of talent when you talk about depth, size, speed and experience on the defensive line, and that's what really excites us."

The linebacking corps took the biggest hit this offseason, as Tulsa lost three 100-plus tacklers to graduation. Junior Mike Bryan made 25 tackles and contributed on special teams last season and he will be counted on to man the middle of the field as a starter this season. Sophomore Tanner Antle and junior George Clinkscale will also assume starting roles alongside Bryan.

In the secondary, senior Roy Roberts moved from corner to bandit this spring and he can cover as well as tackle, posting 12 pass breakups and 45 stops in 2007. Junior Charles Davis is another former corner that is moving to a safety position. The 5-9, 170-pound Davis amassed 73 stops a year ago and he is physical and good in run support.

SPECIAL TEAMS: For a third straight season, senior Jarod Tracy is expected to handle the place kicking duties. He went 7-of-12 last season, but he struggled from beyond 30 yards and that could be an issue. Sophomore punter Michael Such didn't impress anyone with his 38.9 yards per kick last season and he could lose his job to senior Paul Jurado if he doesn't improve.

OUTLOOK: Tulsa's offense relies heavily on the quarterback position and if the Hurricane can't get stability at that spot, they will most likely not contend for a C-USA title. The good news though, is that the program returns nearly ever starter on the offensive side of the ball and that should help take some of the pressure off Johnson under center. The defense should be good enough to slow down opposing clubs while the offense racks up points and when all is said and done, Tulsa should rise to the top of C-USA once again.