The Wave fired up the busses and headed up I-10 for their first road game of the year in Mobile Saturday night. This game was not particularly fun to watch at times and downright miserable at others. The ESPN+ broadcast was reminiscent of a bad high school product and the play on the field itself matched, but in the end the wave went 1-0 yesterday and kept a season with so much promise on course. Let’s get into the recap.
Tulane deferred after winning the toss to put its best unit from week 1 on the field first. Unfortunately, the ball-hawking swarming defense from the Northwestern game was nowhere to be found in this one. South Alabama flew down the field needing all of 5 minutes to reach Tulane’s end zone on the first drive of the game. The B1G in name only wildcats were unable to accomplish this feat in 60 minutes. Mobile QBs should be circled on the schedule going forward as Bishop Davenport gave the wave fits with 30 yards and a TD on the ground in just one drive. 7-0 Jags.
Tulane’s opening drive on offense was woeful as well. A quick 3 and out gave the ball back to the jags offense that appeared to be shot out of a cannon to start. Tulane’s defense stepped up and made a huge play with Sam Howard forcing a fumble recovered by Santana hopper. This set the offense up with a short field and caused a monetary sigh of relief.
Tulane looked poised to tie the game with a short 30 yard field gift wrapped to them. Unfortunately, the south Alabama defense had turnovers on their mind as well. Retzlaff fumbled after a nice 3rd down scramble to the 10 yard line of the jags. I had touchdown on my mind here when Jake took off, but it was not to be.
Want to shout out Jack Hollifield here. That is great hustle from #58 to make the tackle here and prevent an unmitigated disaster. Tulane’s defense returned to the field looking to replicate their second drive and forget their first. No less than a minute after taking the field again, it was 14-0 jags. Another quick strike from the opportunistic South Alabama offense.
Joker was left on an island here with no safety help and Voisin made a nice play on the ball. A tough rep for #20 who had a really strong start to his season. Hopefully, this can be something sorted out in the film room as limiting explosives will be all important against Duke.
I can’t say I envisioned Tulane being down 14 in this one at any point, but certainly not 8 minutes into the first quarter. The green wave got punched in the mouth by a feisty Sun belt opponent, and we were about to find out how they handled their first bit of adversity.
The answer to that would be loud and clear. Tulane would not roll over after a bad start. Retzlaff leaned on his legs and old reliable Bryce Bohanon to drive Tulane down the field. I’m not sure who emerges as a contributor in this wide receiver room, but I loved seeing the 5th year veteran picking the team up down 14-0. Retzlaff capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Iowa transfer Johnny Pascuzzi. Employing the fool proof strategy theorized by hall of fame coach Mike Ditka. Get the ball to the Italians. 14-7 Jags
The camera man as fooled by misdirection for about the 30th time on this touchdown. Did I mention how bad that ESPN+ broadcast was?
Sensing some momentum, the defense found their footing and forced a three and out here down 14-7. A massive shank from the South Alabama punter put Tulane in prime position to tie this game.
The wave regained possession in opposing territory and the offensive line went to work. True Freshman Javin Gordon was the feature back this time and carved up the jaguars defense for a couple of big runs. Not to be outdone, Zuberi Mobley entered the game and scored a touchdown on his sole carry of the drive. To the Ja’mauri McClure truthers in the fan base, it looks like you’re going to have to keep waiting. Even with lead back Mo turner out, Craddock deployed a 3 headed monster of Gordon, Mobley and Barnes.
#2 was a bright spot in this one and it was great to see him rumble into the endzone. Despite an atrocious start to the 1st quarter, the quarter ended tied 14-14 and the wave offense appeared to be rolling.
Back to back stops by the defense and touchdowns by the offense had the fan base in a much calmer state. Tulane’s D took the field again and employed some classic bend don’t break to get the ball back to the offense with a turnover on downs. I was happy to see them bow up on 4th down after the way this one started.
Tulane’s offense appeared to be clicking after two straight TD drives and this next drive would be no different. Gordon, Retzlaff and Mobley attacking the jags on the ground with the help of their pals up front. ESPN broadcast must have aired the stat 200 times that Sumrall teams do not lose when they win the rushing battle. Craddock was determined to pound the rock and the big men upfront obliged him. The methodical 11 play drive ended with Jake punching it in on the ground. A 21-0 run put the Wave back on top. 21-14.
Defense forced another quick punt and it looked like the rout was on. Interestingly, Sumrall decided to go to Brendan Sullivan here despite Jake leading 3 consecutive TD drives. I guess the thought was that this one was about to be well in hand and the coaching staff wanted to see what sully had. He earned some playing time in camp and looked pretty solid on the drive. Other than a curious choice to run bruiser Duda Barnes up the middle on 3rd & 9, this drive showed some strong potential for Brendan Sullivan. Patrick Durkin clearly went and saw a witch doctor in the offseason because any curses he had last season are gone. The kid carried madame Zeroni up the mountain and now he cannot miss.
I cannot recall many Tulane kickers being good from 50 other than Lou Groza winner Cairo Santos. Feel free to fact check me on this, but I don’t think our other beloved Italian Valentino Ambrosio ever connected from way downtown.
24-14 at half. A great response to the 14-0 punch in the mouth with 4 straight stops and 4 straight scoring drives. The 3rd quarter was a complete snooze for the second time in two weeks. Not sure what the deal with this is, but Tulane’s offense has now scored a total of 6 points in 30 minutes of third quarter action this season. Not great, Bob.
The 4th quarter was bad. It was a brutal rewatch, and I really hope this Tulane team can learn from it. South Alabama kicked off the 4th quarter scoring with a field goal. This was quickly answered by another HUGE Zuberi Mobley TD run.
It appeared to put away the game with newly not cursed Patrick Durkin lining up to make this a 3 score game. A shanked extra point here kept it a 2 score game and the house of horrors began. I truly believe if Durkin cashed here to make this a 17 point lead, the jags would roll over.
Tulane’s defense that had been stout since the first five minutes of the game fell asleep and let south Alabama run right through them for a touchdown and a two. All of a sudden what should have been a 3 score lead with 10 minutes left was now a one score game with 5 minutes left. College football man, it’s a roller coaster.
Retzlaff got the ball back with a chance to ice it with 5 minutes left. Despite initially moving the ball, the offense ran out of gas at midfield and punted. I would have liked to see Sumrall stay aggressive and go for it there.
The final drive of the game was marred by undisciplined penalties and poor defense. I don’t want to write another word about it and will just say thank god Javion white made the play on the two point conversion. I felt gross after this drive and it should’ve never been that close.
In the end, Tulane emerged victorious by 2. There is a lot to clean up on both sides of the ball, and I very much hope this scare lights a fire under this years team. Duke and ole Miss looked incredibly beatable Saturday and we must rise to the occasion. Adversity can be good for a team and we just have to hope that a lesson without a loss is what galvanizes us.
We win, we sing.
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