In their fourth year under head coach Henry Frnka, the Golden Hurricane compiled an 8–2 record (0–1 against Missouri Valley Conference opponents) and defeated Georgia Tech in the 1945 Orange Bowl.
7 in the AP Poll after defeating Texas Tech (34–7) and Ole Miss (47–0), but then lost back-to-back games against Oklahoma State and Iowa Pre-Flight.
Later in the season, Tulsa also defeated Arkansas (33–2) and the Miami Hurricanes (48–2).
[1] Center Felto Prewitt was selected as a first-team All-American by Football News,[2] and guard Ellis Jones was selected as a first-team All-American by Look magazine.
The following Golden Hurricane players were selected in the 1945 NFL draft following the season.