The Tulane Green Wave got back in the win column Saturday evening after their 41-33 victory over in-state rival, the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns.
Following two consecutive losses to top 20 ranked opponents in Kansas State and Oklahoma, the Green Wave were able to assert their dominance on the ground, powered by sophomore running back Makhi Hughes’ 166-yard performance.
Tulane got off to a sluggish start on both sides of the ball. The Green Wave punted within their first five plays after being unable to find early success through the air, and the following possession the defense surrendered a touchdown on a drive that was marred by crucial pass interference penalties.
On the ensuing drive down 7-0, Tulane found their answer by way of toting the rock. The offensive line for the Green Wave was overpowering, opening up lanes for anyone in the backfield allowing Tulane to diversify their rushing attack and move methodically down the field. When faced with a 3rd and long on the Cajuns 16-yard line, Freshman QB Darian Mensah evaded a slew of Cajun defenders scrambling to the 5-yard line. Backup QB Ty Johnson would then encapsulate this 15 play, 7;30 minute drive with a walk-in touchdown to tie the game to begin the second quarter.
The Cajuns attempted to respond on their following drive as QB Ben Woolridge was able to complete some passes leading the Cajuns to plus territory. Woolridge would also convert a big 4th down run to the Tulane 25 before the defense would give up another costly pass interference call, giving the Cajuns goal line field position. Tulane ultimately stopped the Cajuns inside their own 10 forcing a field goal and going down 10-7 in the 2nd.
The game would remain close over the course of the second quarter as Tulane embarked on another 7-minute drive resulting in a field goal, effectively tying the game with just 2 minutes remaining. It was the next drive defensively that got the Wave rolling. On 3rd and 10 inside of UL’s territory, safety Jack Tchienchou would come up with a momentum-shifting pick six giving Tulane its first lead (17-10) with just under 2 minutes remaining. The Wave would go on to allow a field goal before half, entering the locker-room up 17-13.
The beginning of the second half for Tulane could not have been any more electric. On the opening kickoff returner Rayshawn Pleasant raced down the sideline en route to a 94-yard kickoff return giving Tulane a 24-13 lead. The Cajuns would almost immediately answer with RB Bill Davis running for 73 yards to the Tulane 2 before Woolridge tossed his first passing TD of the day bringing the core to 24-13.
The rest of the third quarter was a heavyweight brawl with each team scoring touchdowns on all of their drives. Tulane continued to pound away with their ground attack, while Louisiana continuously with quick explosive drives. Darian Mensah would acquire his lone TD of the day on a 33- yard pitch and catch to TE Reggie Brown. Makhi Hughes would run in from the goal line on the following Tulane drive bringing the game back to a two-possession lead.
The back in forth continued in the fourth with Woolridge running for his second touchdown cutting the lead to 38-33. Ultimately the Green Wave would persevere securing a much-needed field goal after their third seven plus minute drive, going up 41-33 with under 6 minutes remaining. The Tulane defense would officially put an end to the game with two much needed stops, the latter being a game sealing interception by DB Jalen Geiger.
The Green Wave now sitting at 2-2 will certainly use this win as fuel when they return home to face South Florida (2-2) at home next Saturday.
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