David Goff
OKBlitz.com InternTULSA, Oklahoma – Let the trash-talking begin. The
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and
Tulsa Talons face off in the season finale looking to continue their bitter rivalry.
“We take pride in this Turnpike-44 rivalry,” Tulsa linebacker
Jamar Ransom said. “I know a lot of people downplay it but we take it seriously, and we’re going to go out there and sweep them.
“That’s the goal. That’s the objective right there.”
The two teams played in Week 8 and the Talons proved to be too strong, handing the Yard Dawgz
a 67-41 beat down at the
BOK Center. Even though Tulsa dominated, head coach
Mitch Allner said he still has respect for OKC.
“We respect every team we play up against,” Allner said before practice on Wednesday. “There’s always a little more involved whenever you play Oklahoma City, though.”
This will be the final regular season game for both teams. Tulsa’s first playoff game is set for Saturday, August 7th. The season finale is an important step heading into the playoffs.
“This is why we work hard,” said Allner. “The entire season is leading up to this time when the playoffs are going to start.”
In their first matchup, Tulsa quarterback
Justin Allgood torched the Oklahoma City defense. The former
University of Central Oklahoma standout threw for 178 yards on 15-of-19 passing and finished the night with six touchdowns. Carlese Franklin led all receivers with three touchdowns.
OKC used two different quarterbacks in that contest and neither was able to make much of a dent in the stout Tulsa defense. Starter
Tommy Grady struggled as he completed only 15-of-28 pass attempts for two scores.
Xavier Lee took over in the second half and didn’t fare much better. He only completed eight of his 15 passes.
The Talons also will look to continue their defensive dominance against the Yard Dawgz. In Week 8, the Yard Dawgz failed to score any points in the third quarter and could not make up the deficit in the fourth.
The game begins at 7:05 p.m. at the
Ford Center Friday July 30th.
