TU Coach Says Miscommunication Led To Time Mismanagement

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa coach Todd Graham says a breakdown in communication between quarterback Paul Smith and the coaches led to a ``debacle'' at the end of Saturday's 48-47 loss to UTEP.

Tuesday, October 9th 2007, 3:13 pm

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa coach Todd Graham says a breakdown in communication between quarterback Paul Smith and the coaches led to a ``debacle'' at the end of Saturday's 48-47 loss to UTEP.

Smith ran for nine yards for a 2nd-and-1 at midfield with about 45 seconds left but TU did not use one of its two remaining time-outs. The Golden Hurricane reached the UTEP 36 after three pass plays but only three seconds remained and a 53-yard field goal attempt was wide right.

Graham says the coaches thought Smith had gained a first down on the running play and made critical mistakes with time management.

TU falls to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Conference USA and will host Marshall on Saturday.