TULANE 38, HOUSTON 31 - POSTGAME NOTES - Tulane University Athletics

TULANE 38, HOUSTON 31 - POSTGAME NOTES

Sep 20, 2019 | Football

TEAM NOTES

The Green Wave's 21-point come-from-behind win over Houston is Tulane's largest comeback victory this century.
Entering tonight's game, Football Bowl Subdivision teams that had trailed by 21 points-or-more this season were 0-80 on the year (according to ESPN).
Tulane's primetime matchup with Houston marked the first time the Green Wave have played on ESPN at Yulman Stadium.
Tulane improved to 8-2 in its last 10 games dating back to last season.
The Green Wave captured their fifth straight win at home. Tulane's current five-game winning streak, which dates back to last season, is the Green Wave's longest consecutive unbeaten streak since moving into Yulman Stadium back in 2014.
The Green Wave improved to 3-0 at home this season. Tulane has not opened a season 3-0 at home since 1999.
Tulane improved to 7-17 all-time against Houston.
Tulane outscored Houston 24-3 in the second half.
The Green Wave captured their fifth win in six years in American Athletic Conference home openers.
Team captains for today's game were RB Jalen McCleskey, LB Malik Lawal, OL Corey Dublin and DL Mike Hinton
Redshirt junior DT De'Andre Williams carried the New Orleans flag. Redshirt junior QB Keon Howard carried the American Athletic Conference Power 6 flag.
Sophomore DB Larry Brooks carried the No. 18 flag in honor of Devon Walker.
With the win, head coach Willie Fritz improved to 212-96-1 all-time.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

The Green Wave offensive starters were QB Justin McMillan, RB Amare Jones, RB Stephon Huderson, TE Will Wallace, WR Darnell Mooney, WR Jalen McCleskey, OL Ben Knutson, OL Keyshawn McLeod, OL Corey Dublin, OL Christian Montano and OL Joey Claybrook.
Mooney made his 32nd consecutive start, while Dublin made his 29th straight start.
Tulane has now outscored its opponents by a 138-51 count in home games this season.
The Green Wave's 10 play, 93-yard drive which spanned 4:19 in the second half was Tulane's longest drive of the season in terms of yards.
McCleskey finished the night with a season high 120 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
McCleskey's first quarter score was his 18th career touchdown of his collegiate career and his first in a Green Wave uniform. He 38-yard touchdown reception was his longest of the year.
McCleskey's 19th career touchdown was the game-winning score, as he dashed in from 53 yards out.
Senior running back Darius Bradwell rushed for a season high 113 yards on just 20 carries.
Huderson scored his first touchdown of the 2019 season with the nine-yard rush with 10:11 left in the second quarter. This was his second touchdown of his career.
McMillan improved to 8-2 as a starter. He is a perfect 4-0 at home as a starter.
McMillan finished the night by passing for 186 yards and rushing for a career-high 91 on 15 carries.
Mooney extended his consecutive catch streak to 23 games. His lone catch of the night went for a 48-yard touchdown reception.
Mooney now has 16 career touchdown receptions which ranks 10th all-time in program history.
Tulane failed to score on its opening drive for the first time all season.
The Green Wave have now surpassed 100 yards rushing in 44 straight games. Tulane finished the game with 325 yards rushing.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

The Green Wave defensive starters were DL Patrick Johnson, LB Marvin Moody, CB Jaylon Monroe, DL De'Andre Williams, DL Cameron Sample, S P.J. Hall, LB Lawrence Graham, FS Chase Kuerschen, S Will Harper, NT Jeffery Johnson and CB Thakarius Keyes.
Tulane's defensive unit held Houston to just three second half points and held the Cougars to just 160 yards in the final 30 minutes.
The Green Wave allowed 14 first quarter points which marked the first time all season a Tulane opponent has scored in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Patrick Johnson closed the night with a pair of tackles for loss and one sack. Johnson now has at least 0.5 sacks in 11 of his last 14 games dating back to last year.
Monroe registered his first career interception in the first quarter.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

Ryan Wright's 61-yard punt in the first quarter was his season-long.
Wright finished the game with 208 punting yards (41.6).
Senior kicker Merek Glover tied a career high, as he drilled a career-long 44-yard field goal.