TULANE 30, SOUTHERN MISS 13 - POSTGAME NOTES - Tulane University Athletics

TULANE 30, SOUTHERN MISS 13 - POSTGAME NOTES

Jan 4, 2020 | Football

TULANE 30, SOUTHERN MISS 13 - POSTGAME NOTES (38,513 - Attendance)

TEAM NOTES

Tulane's win over Southern Miss in the 2020 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl marked the first time in program history that the Green Wave have won back-to-back bowl games.
Tulane's win over Southern Miss gave the Green Wave their first win over the Golden Eagles since Nov. 23, 2002 to reclaim the bell.
Tulane and Southern Miss renewed the "Battle for the Bell" rivalry after a nine-year hiatus. The bowl matchup was the first-ever game played outside of either New Orleans or Hattiesburg. The game also marked the first meeting between the two teams in a bowl game.
The Green Wave's 2019 senior class has the most wins for a graduating class this century.
Tulane's win over Southern Miss snapped the Green Wave's three-game losing streak.
Tulane has now won seven games in back-to-back seasons. The last time Tulane won seven or more games in back-to-back seasons was during the 1997-98 seasons.
The Green Wave outgained Southern Miss, 379-359.
Tulane's come-from-behind win after trailing 13-6 at halftime marked just the fourth time in the Willie Fritz era that the Green Wave have come back to win. The Green Wave trailed 13-0 at the end of the first quarter, but would then shut out Southern Miss 30-0 over the final three quarters.
Team captains for today's game were QB Justin McMillan, WR Darnell Mooney, LB Lawrence Graham, S P.J. Hall, and DL De'Andre Williams.
Senior WR Jalen McCleskey carried the New Orleans flag. Sophomore defensive back Larry Brooks carried the American Athletic Conference Power 6 flag.
Redshirt freshman OL Ben Bratcher carried the No. 18 flag in honor of Devon Walker.
With the win, head coach Willie Fritz improved to 216-101-1 all-time.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

The Green Wave offensive starters were QB Justin McMillan, RB Amare Jones, TE Tyrick James, WR Darnell Mooney, WR Jalen McCleskey, WR Jacob OL Sincere Haynesworth, OL Keyshawn McLeod, OL Corey Dublin, OL Christian Montano and OL Joey Claybrook.
Tulane's offensive unit surpassed 30 points for the ninth time this season.
Mooney made his 41st consecutive start, while Dublin made his 38th straight start.
The Green Wave surpassed 3,000 rushing yards for the first time in program history.
Tulane has now scored points in 41-of-52 quarters this season.
The Green Wave offensive unit was 5-of-5 in the redzone today. Tulane has converted 44-of-49 attempts in the redzone this year.
The Green Wave have now surpassed 100 yards rushing in 53 straight games.
McMillan finished with a game-high 215 yards passing and tied a career high with three passing touchdowns.
McMillan accounted for 29 touchdowns (17 passing and 12 rushing), which is tied for third all-time in a single season (Shaun King, 1997).
Mooney extended his consecutive catch streak to 32 games, as he hauled in three catches for 43 yards.
McCleskey finished with a team-high 87 receiving yards. He also hauled in a 52-yard reception.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

The Green Wave defensive starters were DL Patrick Johnson, DL De'Andre Williams, DL Cameron Sample, DL Jeffery Johnson, DB Larry Brooks, LB Lawrence Graham, LB Marvin Moody, CB Jaylon Monroe, S P.J. Hall, S Chase Kuerschen and CB Willie Langham.
Junior safety Chase Kuerschen led the way with seven tackles.
Brooks hauled in his team-leading fourth interception on the year.
Patrick Johnson recorded his team-leading fourth sack of the year.
Jeffery Johnson also recorded a sack. He finished the year with 2.5 sacks on the year.
Tulane's defensive unit has held nine of its 13 opponents under their season average in total yards (FIU, Auburn, Missouri State, Army, UConn, Tulsa, UCF, SMU and Southern Miss).

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

Sophomore Amare Jones finished the game with 154 all-purpose yards (18 rushing, 57 receiving, 62 kick return, 17 punt returns).
Redshirt junior Merek Glover tied a career high with three field goals, connecting from 36, 31 and 31 yards out. He also was a perfect 3-for-3 in extra point tries. Glover is a perfect 51-of-51 in extra points this season.
Sophomore punter Ryan Wright had six punts for an average of 48.2 yards.