The 1982 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team represented the University of Tulsa during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their sixth year under head coach John Cooper, the Golden Hurricane compiled a 10–1 record (6–0 against conference opponents) and won the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship. The team defeated Big Eight Conference opponents Oklahoma State (25–15) and Kansas (20–15), but lost to Southwest Conference opponent Arkansas (38–0).^[1]

The team had two running backs who each rushed for over 1,000 yards during the 1982 season. Mike Gunter totaled 1,464 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 7.5 yards per carry, while Ken Lacy rushed for 1,097 yards and 12 touchdowns with an average of 5.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Skip Ast accumulated 595 passing yards and 367 rushing yards.^[2] Head coach John Cooper was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Despite a glowing 10-1 record and a top 20 ranking in both major polls at the end of the regular season, they were not invited to participate in a bowl game.

More information Date, Opponent ...

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 4	Air Force*		Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK	W 35–17	29,811
September 11	at No. 13 Arkansas*		Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR	L 0–38	43,820
September 19	Oklahoma State*		Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK (rivalry)	W 25–15	35,297
October 2	at Kansas*		Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS	W 20–15	35,552
October 9	at New Mexico State		Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM	W 31–14	11,633
October 16	Southern Illinois		Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK	W 22–3	26,936
October 23	at Drake		Drake Stadium Des Moines, IA	W 34–18	12,820
October 30	at Wichita State		Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS	W 30–21	28,450	[3]
November 6	West Texas State		Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK	W 59–21	25,803
November 13	Indiana State		Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK	W 48–14	23,929
November 20	at North Texas*	No. 20	Fouts Field Denton, TX	W 38–20	8,500	[4]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

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