Saturday, November 6
Orlando, FL
3 P.M.
Tulane University
at
UCF
Tulane Heads South to Take on UCF on Saturday
Nov 2, 2021 | Football
| GAME 9 TULANE GREEN WAVE (1-7; 0-4) vs. UCF KNIGHTSÂ (5-3; 3-2) |
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| When: | Â Saturday, Nov. 6 | 3Â p.m. CT |
| Where: |  Orlando  Bounce House (44,206) |
| Watch: | Â ESPNU |
| Commentators: |
 Kevin Brown (Play-by-Play) |
| Radio: | Â 104.1 The Spot |
| Radio Commentators: |  Corey Gloor (Play-by-Play)  Steve Barrios (Analyst)  Maddy Hudak (Sideline) |
| Stats: | Â Live Stats |
| Notes | Â Tulane Notes | UCF Notes |
| Social: | Â @GreenWaveFB | #RollWave | #NolaBuilt |
THE GREEN WAVE TRAVELS UCF FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON MATCHUP
-The Green Wave travels to UCF on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
-Tulane's meeting with UCF will mark the second straight year the Green Wave have traveled to Orlando to face the Knights.
-The Green Wave will look to snap their six-game losing streak. Tulane also will be in search of its first win over UCF since Oct. 3, 2015 when the Green Wave took down the Knights 45-31.
-The Green Wave have never defeated the Knights in Orlando.
-The Green Wave will faceoff against UCF for the 11th time in program history. Tulane trails in the all-time series 8-2. Â
-Tulane will look to bounce back from its 31-12 loss at home against No. 2-ranked Cincinnati.
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FIRST AND 10
1. Over the past three games, Tulane running back Tyjae Spears has returned to his explosive 2020 form, as he has rushed for 256 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and scored three touchdowns.
2. Fellow running back Cameron Carroll leads the team in rushing yards with 416 yards. His 73.0 yards per game in conference play ranks fifth in the American Athletic Conference.
3. The Green Wave's matchup with Cincinnati last week marked the fourth nationally-ranked opponent Tulane has faced this season. Tulane has not played four nationally-ranked opponents in the same season since the 1971 campaign. The Green Wave's meeting with Cincinnati also marked the second No. 2-ranked team Tulane has faced this season (Oklahoma was the first).
4. Prior to the Green Wave's trip to ECU, Tulane announced its team captains for the remainder of the year. Linebacker Nick Anderson, offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth, linebacker Kevin Henry, defensive lineman Jeffery Johnson, quarterback Michael Pratt and linebacker Dorian Williams were all voted as captains by their teammates.
5. Senior Ryan Wright has established himself as one of the top punters in the nation. His 47.7 yards per punt lead the American Athletic Conference and rank seventh nationally.
6. Tight end Tyrick James has established himself as one of the top tight ends in the American this season. His 358 yards receiving rank second in the AAC among tight ends.
7. Against SMU, Pratt tied a career high with three touchdowns against the Mustangs. Pratt has thrown for a touchdown pass in every college game he has played in since making his debut in 2020 (17 straight games). He currently has 36 career touchdown passes and has cracked into the program's all-time Top 10 in career touchdown passes (he is currently ranked ninth all-time).
8. The Green Wave have surpassed 200 yards rushing in 16 games dating back to the start of the 2019 season. Tulane led the American in rushing yards per game last year, averaging 217.1 per game.
9. Tulane has rushed for over 100 yards or more as a team in 70 of its last 73 games. Tulane had its 56-game streak of rushing for at least 100 yards as a team snapped at Houston back on Oct. 8, 2020.Â
10. Tulane's special teams rank fifth in the nation in net punting (44.1 yards per game).
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SCOUTING UCF
- The Knights enter their matchup with Tulane having won three of their last four games.
- UCF is coming off a convincing 49-7 win at Temple on Saturday. Freshman quarterback Mikey Keene threw five touchdown passes and posted a career-high 229 yards through the air to lead UCF to the win. UCF jumped out to a 21-0 lead in their matchup with the Owls and never looked back.
- Since the start of the 2017 season, UCF has posted a record of 46-11.
- UCF's 46 wins in its last 57 games trail only Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Georgia nationally for the most victories in a program's last 57 contests.
- UCF ranks 25th in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 34.8 points per game. The Knights also rank 51st nationally in total offense, averaging 422.1 yards of total offense per game.
- Head coach Gus Malzahn took over for the Knights on Feb. 15, 2021. Prior to becoming the head coach at UCF, Malzahn led Auburn to the BCS National Championship in 2013. He also guided Auburn to eight straight bowl games.
- UCF was picked to finish second the American Athletic Conference in 2021 Preseason Poll.
LAST TIME OUT: TULANE HANGS TOUGH AGAINST CINCINNATI
- Tulane's matchup with Cincinnati marked the 18th all-time meeting between the two teams.
- With the loss, Tulane fell to 11-7 all-time against Cincinnati.
- Tulane has now dropped four straight games to Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati was the highest ranked team to ever play in Yulman Stadium. The last time Tulane faced a Top 5 opponent on campus was back in 1963 when Tulane welcomed fifth-ranked Ole Miss to New Orleans.
- Tulane has now played four games against nationally-ranked opponents in 2021. The last time Tulane played four nationally-ranked teams was back in 1971.
- The Green Wave's setback marked the first time since 2017 that Tulane has lost six straight games.Â
- The Green Wave opened up a 9-7 lead midway through the second quarter, but were unable to hold on to the lead, as the Bearcats scored 24 of the next 27 points.
- Tulane trailed by just two points at the half (14-12) and only by nine points heading into the fourth quarter.
- As a team, Tulane was outgained 351-280. Tulane did hold a 187-124 advantage in rushing yards.
- Nick Anderson, Jeffery Johnson, and Dorian Williams served as the team captains.
- Tulane linebacker Kevin Henry carried the Wave of Change flag and Green Wave quarterback Sincere Haynesworth carried the No. 18 flag in honor of former Tulane student-athlete Devon Walker.
- Offensive starters for the Green Wave were QB Kai Horton, RB Cameron Carroll, RB Tyjae Spears, WR Duece Watts, WR Shae Wyatt, TE Tyrick James, OL Sincere Haynesworth, OL Caleb Thomas, OL Corey Dublin, OL Rashad Green, OL Joey Claybrook.
- Dublin's start was the 57th of his career. Dublin has the most starts of any player on the team.
- Horton made his first collegiate start at quarterback.
- Quarterback Michael Pratt's consecutive start streak ended at 16 games.
- Spears totaled a season-best 106 rushing yards and became the first Tulane running back to surpass 100 yards rushing on the year.
- Carroll also chipped in as he finished with 64 yards on just 10 carries.
- Wide receiver Jha'Quan Jackson led the team in receiving yards with 34. He also hauled in a team-best three receptions.Â
- Defensive starters for the Green Wave were DL Noah Seiden, DL Jeffery Johnson, DL Eric Hicks, DL Darius Hodges, LB Kevin Henry, LB Nick Anderson, LB Kevin Henry, DB Ajani Kerr, DB Jadon Canady, DB Jaylon Monroe and DB Macon Clark.
- Johnson's start was the 40th of his career which is the most of any player on the defense.
- Tulane recorded its first safety since 2018, as Marvin Moody sacked UC quarterback Desmond Ridder in the endzone.
- Anderson and Hodges also finished with one sack apiece.
- Monroe led the team with six tackles.
- Clark picked off his first pass of the season and third of his career. The interception was the Green Wave's first turnover since the UAB game.
- Punter Ryan Wright finished the game with 4 punts for 179 yards (44.8 average). He also totaled a long punt of 61 yards.
- Merek Glover connected on one extra point and a field goal. He now has 322 career points. He needs just 12 more points to become the school's all-time leading scorer.
PRATT FRAT
- In just 17 career appearances, quarterback Michael Pratt has quickly made a name for himself in the college football landscape.
- Pratt has thrown for over 3,000 yards and has 36 touchdown passes in his career.
- His 16 touchdowns this season rank second in The American and 17th nationally.
- Pratt also ranks sixth in the American in passing yards (1,598).
- The Florida native has thrown for multiple touchdown passes in 14 career games.
- Pratt has passed for over 200 yards in nine career games.Â
- Pratt also has proven to be a force in the running game, as he has rushed and passed for a touchdown in nine career games.
- Against UAB, Pratt threw his first interception of the year in the third quarter against the Blazers. Prior to his interception, Pratt had gone 96 attempts without throwing an interception.
Longest Active Touchdown Streak in FBS
33 - Sam Howell, North Carolina
26 - Dillon Gabriel, UCF
22 - Carson Strong, Nevada
18 - Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
17 - Michael Pratt, Tulane
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APPROACHING A MILESTONE
- Tulane kicker Merek Glover needs just 12 points to pass Seth Marler to become the school's all-time leading scorer.
- Marler has held the all-time scoring record since 2002.
- Glover currently has 322 points in his kicking career.
- Glover also ranks in the Top 10 in field goals made (42), PATS made (196), PATS attempted (201) and PAT percentage (.975).
- Glover originally joined the team as a walk-on back in 2017 and was later put on scholarship in 2019.
A SCHOLAR AND A FREAK
- Tulane linebacker Nick Anderson was recently recognized as a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
- Anderson was one of 79 players from the Football Bowl Subdivision that was recognized on as a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
- In the classroom, he holds a 3.7 grade point average and is majoring in Homeland Security. This past December he was selected as one of two departmental recipients of the Stephen Martin Scholars award.
- Prior to the 2021 campaign, Anderson was honored on Bruce Feldman's annual FREAKS LIST.
THE OLD GUARDÂ Â
- Tulane linebacker Kevin Henry is one of only two players (USF's Thad Magnum) in the American Athletic Conference that is in his seventh year playing college football.
- The seventh-year linebacker currently ranks third on the team in tackles with 37.
- Earlier this year against Morgan State, Henry collected his first career interception return for touchdown.
- During his five years at Oklahoma State, Henry guided the Cowboys to 45 wins and five bowl appearances.
GOING TOE-TO-TOE WITH THE BIG BOYS
- Tulane's near victory over second-ranked Oklahoma is nothing new for Willie Fritz coached teams.
- Fritz's teams have made a habit of putting a big-time scare into their big-time opponents from the ACC, BIG 12 and SEC.
- In the Green Wave's last outing against No. 2-ranked Cincinnati, Tulane trailed by just two points at the half.
- In 2018, Tulane took Wake Forest into overtime, but fell 23-17.
- In 2019, Tulane trailed by just eight points (14-6) midway through the third quarter at 10th-ranked Auburn, but ultimately fell 24-6.
- Fritz's Georgia Southern squad took Georgia into overtime in 2015.
- In 2014, Fritz's Georgia Southern team nearly defeated NC State on the road, but fell 24-23. In that same season, GSU fell by just four points to a Georgia Tech team that went on to win the Orange Bowl.
- In 2012, Fritz's Sam Houston State team held a 20-10 halftime lead over Baylor.
A TOUGH SLATE
- The Green Wave's schedule included non-conference matchups against Oklahoma (Sept. 4), Morgan State (Sept. 11), Ole Miss (Sept. 17) and UAB (Sept. 25). Tulane also will welcome league opponents Houston (Oct. 7), Cincinnati (Oct. 30), Tulsa (Nov. 13) and USF (Nov. 20).
- Tulane's 2021 schedule is currently tied for the 12th toughest schedule among teams from the FBS. The combined record of Tulane's 2021 opponents is 60-37.
- Tulane's matchup with Cincinnati marked the fourth nationally-ranked opponent the Green Wave have faced this season.
- The Green Wave have not faced four nationally-ranked opponents in the same season since the 1971 campaign.Â
- Following Tulane's final regular season game of the year against Memphis in 2020, the Green Wave welcomed three new coaches to their staff.
- Chip Long was named offensive coordinator and replaced Will Hall, who was named the head coach at the University of Southern Miss. Long arrives at Tulane following a year as an offensive analyst at the University of Tennessee. Prior to his time at Tennessee he spent three years at the University of Notre Dame, as the Fighting Irish offensive coordinator.
- The Green Wave welcomed back Chris Hampton, as the team's new defensive coordinator. Hampton spent the 2020 regular season at Duke University.
- Tulane also welcomed Chris Watt, as the team's new offensive line coach. Watt spent 2020 at Notre Dame.
- Under Coach Fritz, the Green Wave have scored over 35 points in 24 games. Tulane is 21-3 in those games.
- The Olive and Blue scored exactly 38 points in last three of their last six games in 2020, all of which were wins. Tulane scored 35+ in three straight games against FBS opponents for only the second time in Fritz's tenure. The Green Wave achieved the feat last season in wins over Houston, Army and UConn in 2019.
- Tulane returns four players who started in every game last year.
- OL Sincere Haynesworth, TE Tyrick James, DL Jeffery Johnson, CB Jaylon Monroe started in every game during the 2020 campaign.
- Through four games this season, Tulane has had 12 players that have played in every game.
- Sophomore Dorian Williams was named to the preseason watch lists for the Bednarik and Lombardi Awards.
- In the 2021 opener at Oklahoma, Williams tallied eight tackles which tied for the team lead.
- Against UAB, led the team with seven tackles.
- Against SMU, Williams posted seven stops.
- Williams stepped up on the defensive side of the ball for the Green Wave in 2020. He has finished first or second on the team in tackles on nine occasions last season.
- Williams led the Green Wave with 98 total tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss.
- Senior Ryan Wright has made a habit of booming punts throughout his career with the Green Wave.
- He currently leads the American Athletic Conference and ranks seventh nationally, averaging 47.7 yards per punt.
- Throughout his career has totaled over 8,000 punt yards (8,011). He is one of only five Tulane players to surpass 8,000 career punt yards in program history.
- He currently has 14 punts that have traveled more than 50 yards - a figure that ranks second in the American Athletic Conference.
- In Wright's first game of the 2021 campaign, he averaged 49.7 yards per punt and against Oklahoma.
- Against Morgan State, Wright's lone punt traveled 68 yards.
- In Tulane's trip to Ole Miss, Wright averaged 45.8 yards per punt and dropped two punts inside the 20-yard line.
- Following his performance at Ole Miss, he was named to the Ray's 8 List - an honor that the Ray Guy Award bestows on the Top 8 punters of the week.
- Wright has posted an average of 46.2 yards per punt against UAB and ECU.
- Against SMU, Wright had three punts for 161 yards (53.7 average).
- In 2020, Wright finished the regular season as one of 14 punters that surpassed 2,000 punting yards.Â
- Following the 2020 campaign, Wright earned All-AAC First Team honors.
- Prior to the 2021 campaign, Wright was selected to the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award.
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