Numbers usually don't lie. But in the world of Group of Five college football, they definitely hide things. If you just glance at the final tulsa hurricane football stats from the 2025 season, you see a 4-8 record and probably shrug it off. Another losing year, right?
Honestly, it’s not that simple.
The 2025 season was the beginning of the Tre Lamb era. After the university moved on from Kevin Wilson—who struggled to a 7-16 mark over two years—they handed the keys to a 35-year-old who promised to fix a defense that was basically a sieve. You’ve got to look past the win-loss column to see if the "turnaround" is actually happening.
The Quarterback Situation: Baylor Hayes and the Air Attack
Let’s talk about the passing game first. Baylor Hayes stepped into the spotlight as a freshman and put up some legit numbers. He finished the season with 2,158 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Is he the next great Tulsa QB? Hard to say yet.
Hayes wasn't always perfect. He threw 10 interceptions, which is kind of expected when you're a young guy learning a new system under pressure. His completion percentage sat around 58.9%. That’s not elite, but when you consider he was playing behind an offensive line that was "almost entirely new," it's a miracle he stayed upright as often as he did.
Kirk Francis also saw some action, especially early on. He threw for 493 yards in limited time. The quarterback room definitely has more "oomph" than it did a year ago, but the efficiency just isn't there yet.
A Run Game That Actually Worked
One of the most surprising tulsa hurricane football stats from 2025 was the ground game. Dominic Richardson was an absolute workhorse. He cracked the thousand-yard mark, finishing with 1,065 rushing yards.
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He averaged 4.3 yards per carry. That’s solid. He wasn't just running through holes; he was creating them.
- Dominic Richardson: 1,065 Yards, 5 TDs
- Ajay Allen: 5 TDs (the red zone specialist)
- Team Rushing Average: 175.5 yards per game
Basically, Tulsa could move the ball on the ground against almost anyone. They even out-rushed Oklahoma State in that massive 19-12 upset victory in September. That game was probably the peak of the season. Holding a Big 12 opponent to 12 points? That hasn't happened in a long time for this program.
That Defense... Is It Better?
The big question mark has always been the defense. In 2024, Tulsa was ranked 131st out of 133 teams. That is bottom-of-the-barrel stuff.
Under Tre Lamb and his staff, did they improve? Yeah, but it’s a slow build. They gave up 28.9 points per game in 2025. Compare that to the nearly 40 points a game they were bleeding the year before. It’s a start.
Ray Coney was the heart of that unit. The guy was everywhere. He racked up 130 total tackles. If the ball was moving, Coney was probably near it. Elijah Green also provided some much-needed ball hawking in the secondary with 5 interceptions.
The pass rush is still a major problem area. They only managed 23 sacks all year. You can’t leave your corners on an island for five seconds every play and expect to win in the AAC. J’Dan Burnett led the team with 6.5 sacks, but he needs help coming from the other side.
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The AAC Struggles and the Schedule
Tulsa went 1-7 in conference play. That hurts to look at. They were competitive in a lot of those games—like the 38-37 heartbreaker against Temple—but they couldn't close the door.
The schedule was weirdly lopsided. They started hot, beating Abilene Christian and then pulling off the shocker against Oklahoma State. People in Tulsa were starting to believe. Then, the October slump hit. Three straight losses to Memphis, East Carolina, and Temple took the wind out of their sails.
They did finish strong-ish. Beating Oregon State 31-14 in November was a statement. It showed that when the team is healthy and the "Tre Lamb system" clicks, they can beat Power 4 level talent.
Specialist Spotlight: Seth Morgan
We have to mention the kicking game. Seth Morgan was basically automatic. He scored 78 points on the season, hitting 17 field goals and all 27 of his extra points. In close games, having a guy who doesn't blink at a 45-yarder is a luxury most mid-majors don't have.
The punting was also decent, averaging about 43 yards per boot. Field position wasn't the reason they lost 8 games; defensive lapses and turnovers were the culprits.
Final Take on the 2025 Season
If you’re looking at tulsa hurricane football stats to decide if Tre Lamb is the right guy, you have to look at the "SRS" (Simple Rating System). Their SRS improved from a disastrous -17.34 in 2024 to a -9.19 in 2025. That is a massive jump in terms of overall team quality, even if the wins didn't follow yet.
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They are becoming more competitive. They aren't getting blown out by 40 points by mediocre teams anymore.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re a fan or someone tracking this team for the next cycle, here is what actually matters for the upcoming months:
Watch the Transfer Portal Activity
Tulsa had 14 players enter the portal in early 2026. This isn't necessarily a "panic" move; it's Lamb clearing out the old roster to bring in "his" guys. Look for them to target defensive linemen and offensive tackles.
Baylor Hayes' Development
The kid has the talent, but he needs to cut the interceptions in half. If his completion percentage jumps to 63% or 64% in 2026, Tulsa will be a bowl team.
Third Down Conversions
Tulsa only converted 38% of their third downs in 2025. That’s why the defense got tired. If they can stay on the field for two more minutes a game, the defensive stats will naturally look better because they won't be exhausted by the fourth quarter.
Keep an eye on the spring game and the early signing period. The stats say they’re a 4-win team, but the film says they're about three plays away from being 7-5. That's the margin of error in the American right now.