TULSA, Okla. — Kirk Francis threw two touchdown passes and Dominic Richardson rushed for 142 yards, including a 57-yard score, as Tulsa opened the season with a 35-7 win over Abilene Christian on Saturday night at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

Francis connected with Zion Booker on a 12-yard strike late in the first quarter to cap a 97-yard drive, then added a 22-yard touchdown pass to Brody Foley early in the fourth. He finished 20 of 31 for 218 yards without an interception.

Richardson carried 20 times and broke the game open in the third quarter with his long scoring run, while Ajay Allen added a 40-yard touchdown burst to put the Golden Hurricane (1-0) ahead 35-0. Tulsa rolled up 499 total yards, rushing for 263, and converted all four fourth-down attempts.

Abilene Christian (0-1) threatened early with two long drives inside the Tulsa 5-yard line but came away empty. Quarterback Stone Earle completed 13 of 19 passes for 140 yards and rushed for an 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout, but he was sacked five times and intercepted once.

Javon Gipson had 73 receiving yards for the Wildcats, while J.J. Henry added seven catches for 54. Tulsa’s Zion Booker caught six passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, and Micah Tease contributed 69 receiving yards.

The Golden Hurricane defense recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss. Byron Turner Jr. led with three sacks, while Elijah Green added an interception. Ray Coney topped the team with 14 tackles.

Seth Morgan kicked field goals of 28 and 40 yards to help Tulsa build a 13-0 lead before Richardson’s explosive run gave them breathing room.