Opponent preview: Tulsa’s offense

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs and No. 22 Tulsa Golden Hurricane meet on the gridiron Thursday in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and will air on ESPN.

Offensively, Tulsa ranks 60th in the nation in average total offense per game, including 50th in passing offense and 69th in rushing offense. The Golden Hurricane average 241.0 yards passing and 160.2 yards rushing per game for a total of 401.2 yards of offense per game.

Tulsa averages 27.2 points per game, which ranks 73rd. The Golden Hurricane scored under 30 points in regulation in their last four games, with the double-overtime win over Tulane on Nov. 19 being the only 30-point showing for Tulsa in the last two months.

Redshirt senior quarterback Zach Smith has completed 121 of 217 passes for 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In two seasons with the Golden Hurricane, Smith has completed 367 of 646 passes for 4,873 yards. 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Smith also spent two seasons with Baylor, passing for 2,997 yards, 21 TDs and 15 interceptions in 19 games played.

The Tulsa rushing attack is led by a trio of players. Redshirt senior running back Corey Taylor II leads the team with 431 yards rushing and three TDs on 85 carries. Sophomore running back Deneric Prince has carried the ball 80 times for 429 yards rushing and three TDs, while redshirt sophomore running back T.K. Wilkerson has accumulated 317 yards rushing and a team-high four rushing TDs on 80 carries.

The Golden Hurricane’s passing attack is led by senior receiver Keylon Stokes, junior receiver Josh Johnson and redshirt junior receiver JuanCarlos Santana. Stokes has made 37 catches for 527 yards receiving and two TDs, Johnson has 495 yards receiving and six TDs on 37 catches and Santana has 432 yards receiving and four TDs on 30 receptions.