What Tulsa Football must do to take the next step in 2025

If Tulsa football wants to take a step forward in 2025, consistency is the key — and that means finding balance on both sides of the ball.

At quarterback, Kirk Francis is tasked with managing the offense while breaking in a variety of new weapons. The running back room has been rebuilt with a depth Tulsa hasn’t seen in years, but it all hinges on improved play up front. Better pass protection and more push in the run game can open the playbook and keep defenses guessing.

Discipline is another must. The Golden Hurricane ranked 68th nationally in penalties last season, averaging nearly six flags per game for more than 600 yards. Those miscues are drive-killers, especially in close AAC matchups. And once Tulsa does move the ball, they have to capitalize the team converted just 71% of red-zone trips into points in 2024, a number that landed in the bottom half of the FBS.

Defensively, head coach Tre Lamb likes the talent on the interior with veterans like Tai Newhouse, Tim Hardiman and Pitt transfer Nahki Johnson. Pass rush is an area of need with several key portal additions hoping to elevate the Tulsa defense. Ty Cooper, Joah Cash, Byron Turner Jr are some of the names to keep an eye on.

“We’re gonna have to create some pass rush for sure,” Lamb said. “Our starters right now are good at it. Nahki Johnson’s a real problem for a guard. But we need some edge guys to step up.”

Culture Shift and Handling Adversity

In 2025, half of the roster is new, and a first-year coaching staff led by Lamb has worked quickly to completely change the culture of the program. The buy-in has been strong, but the question of how this team handles adversity won’t be answered until the games begin.

“Culture-wise, in these handful of months, I think our hands are in the right places right now,” Lamb said. “Our strength staff is phenomenal. Our coaching staff is really good. It’s all good right now. But we haven’t lost a game, so we need to see some adversity. How do we react when we get punched in the mouth? When we’re losing at halftime? Those things are going to happen.”

While the energy around Tulsa football is positive, Lamb knows the season won’t always be smooth.

“It’s college football. It’s not going to be pretty,” he explained. “Every team we play has great coaches that are paid really well. There’s not going to be sunshine and roses, and our kids need to understand that.”

Still, Lamb believes this group will fight hard when tough moments arrive.

“I could see us winning a lot of games this year,” he said. “The first year, the hardest part is winning the close ones. Hopefully we can let our talent run away with some games at the end and put people away. But that’s an acquired experience you have to go through.”

Tulsa has leaned heavily on the transfer portal to upgrade its roster, and the key to a successful season could be how this new mix of coaches and players mold into one cohesive unit.

The Bottom Line

With 56 new players, a tough schedule, and a new culture under Tre Lamb, the Golden Hurricane have plenty to prove. If Francis settles in as the leader of the offense, the defense develops edge rushers, and penalties are cleaned up, Tulsa has the pieces to surprise people in 2025.