Tulane Football 2023 Military Bowl Mindset

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Tulane's football team playing in the GoBowling Military Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 against Virginia Tech, TulaneGreenWave.com will feature a brief question and answer series throughout the week to chat with various members of the football team about their experiences at the bowl game. The third player featured on December 26 is offensive lineman Josh Remetich. Our questions and his answers are below. Previously Lance Robinson (Dec. 25) and Valentino Ambrosio (Dec. 24) were featured.

TGW: Tell us about your experience of arriving and being at the Military Bowl so far?
Josh Remetich: "When we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms by the hotel and the Military Bowl staff. On the first night at the Welcome Event it was pretty cool that they had someone dressed up as George Washington walking around to greet us. We took a bunch of pictures with him. They brought in a couple motivation speakers, which was inspiring, plus being here and surrounded by so much American history where we are staying has only made our experience even better. I have really enjoyed just walking around and looking at all the different memorials in the area."

TGW: How was your third night here?
JR: "We all went bowling and it was a great time. Everyone loves to compete on this team, so last night turned into a big old competition as everybody was trying to win."

TGW: Who ended up winning?
JR:" I actually won one on my lane and our offensive line graduate assistant, Kanan Ray, won on the next lane."

TGW: Have you been to Washington DC before and if so, when and how was the experience?
JR: "I have never been. This is my first time. My sister came up here twice and they're actually traveling up here today, so maybe she can show me around a little bit more and I can see some of the things I've missed."

TGW: Besides your sister is anyone else from your family planning on attending the game?
JR: "My mom and my girlfriend are coming up too. Unfortunately, my dad has to stay home with my little brother because he has just gotten his tonsils out."

TGW: With yesterday being Christmas, thinking back what were some of your favorite Christmas gifts you received as a kid?
JR: "Every year, my dad gave me a fishing pole or something fishing related. Being from New Orleans, I fish a lot. When I was younger, it definitely meant a lot waking up and seeing a long wrapped gift right next to the tree, even if I knew what it was going to be (Laughing)."

TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from this season so far?
JR: "Whenever we run out on the field for a big home game like Ole Miss and seeing a sellout stadium cheering us on and getting behind us, it really means a lot to me and to everyone on the team."

Dec. 25 – Lance Robinson

TGW: Tell me about your experience of arriving and being at the Military Bowl?
Lance Robinson: "When we first arrived, I was definitely a little shell shocked being from New Orleans and never having been this far out, but it's been good. I love the weather, it's not too cold. It feels good. All the people that I have encountered have been really nice and welcoming."

TGW: How was your second night here?
LR: "It was good as I was more familiar with the food spots. A few of my teammates and I used the scooters and the bikes to ride around. That was a lot of fun. The food has been really good and I've been loving it. Last night we went to Shake Shack, which was only five minutes away from the hotel. After that we were just riding around on the scooters to see the area, including the White House."

TGW: Have you been to Washington DC before and if so, when and how was the experience?
LR: "This is my first time in DC, and it has been good so far. I love the people. It's different from New Orleans but a good different. I'm definitely going to have to come visit again."

TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game and if so, have they arrived?
LR: "Yes! My mom is getting here tonight. Also, one of my close friends from back home is coming and my mom has a friend coming as well. So, I'll have family and friends here cheering for me and the Wave."

TGW: With today being Christmas day, think back to what was your favorite Christmas gift you received as a kid?
LR: "My favorite Christmas day gift from back in the day was my Game Cube! (Laughing) The little Game Cube from back in the day when I was like 4 or 5 or 6 years old. I remember it vividly, so it's for sure one of my best Christmas gifts."

TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from this season so far?
LR: "There are two games that come to mind for me. When we played South Alabama in week 1. We came out strong and put up 30 on them and I am had an interception late in the 4th quarter. Also, when we played against UTSA the day after Thanksgiving as we played well and fought back against them. We dominated the first quarter, and I was able to force a fumble in the 2nd quarter. That help fire up me and my teammates. Those two moments, starting out fast against South Alabama and ending it well with UTSA in the last game of the regular season were two really two of my favorite moments this year."

Valentino Ambrosio - Dec. 24

TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the GoBowling Military Bowl?
Valentino Ambrosio: "Since we arrived it has been a great experience. D.C. is beautiful with so much to see and do. I look forward to continuing to learn and explore the area during our time here."

TGW: Tell us a little bit about your first night here. What did you guys do?
VA: "Our first night was really good. We were able to go to a Welcoming Event from the Military Bowl to start the evening and then we went on a night bus tour of the monuments around the capital. We went to the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial and the National Christmas Tree."

TGW: Have you been to Washington, D.C. before?
VA: "Actually, even though I am from New Jersey, I have never been to D.C., it has been unbelievable."

TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game and if so how many?
VA: "Yes, I have about 15 friends and family members that will be making the trip since it will be my last collegiate game."

TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
VA: "My favorite moment is when we played UTSA, I had a 47-yard field goal that tied the game. It was a big way to help our team take momentum back and give us a boost."

Tulane's football team (11-2) will face off against Virginia Tech (6-6) in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27 in Annapolis, Maryland at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. Tulane will play against Virginia Tech for the first time since 1989. The program is 4-5 all-time against the Hokies since the first game in 1956. This is the fifth time in the last six years that Tulane has been selected to play in a bowl game (2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 – Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl). Overall, this will be Tulane's 16th bowl appearance (1932 – Rose Bowl, 1935 – Sugar Bowl, 1939 – Sugar Bowl, 1970 – Liberty Bowl, 1973 – Astro Bluebonnet Bowl, 1979 – Liberty Bowl, 1980 – Hall of Fame Bowl, 1987 – Independence Bowl, 1998 – Liberty Bowl, 2002 – Hawaii Bowl, 2013 – New Orleans, 2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 -Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-8 in bowl games.

Tulane enters the bowl game having gone 23-4 the last two seasons including a historic 46-45 victory over USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2, 2023. The team won at least a share of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular season title the last two seasons and became only the third team in conference history to host the AAC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. The Green Wave defense leads the conference is placed seventh nationally in rushing yards allowed at 93.5. The squad also ranks third in the conference and 26th in the country in sacks at 2.62 per game. The program leads the conference and ranks second nationally in turnovers gained at 25. The team leads the league and ranks third nationally in interceptions with 17. Tulane leads the league in kickoff returns at 26.08. Individually, Lance Robinson leads the conference and is placed 16th in the country with his four interceptions. Darius Hodges and Patrick Jenkins are ranked fourth and eighth in the conference in sacks, respectfully. Valentino Ambrosio is placed third in the conference with his 1.46 field goals per game and total points (97). He also ranks fifth in the league in field goal percentage (79.2). Lawrence Keys III is placed second in yards per catch at 18.15. Keys is also 11th in the league with his seven touchdowns scored. Jha'Quan Jackson is seventh in the conference in yards per reception at 16.88. Chris Brazzell II is placed 10th in the league in yards per catch (16.06). Makhi Hughes leads the conference in rushing with 1,290 yards. He is sixth in the league with seven rushing touchdowns. Michael Pratt is third in the league in passing yards a completion at 13.01. Shedro Louis leads the league and ranks seventh in the country with his kick return average of 28.6. Tulane has won a school-record 10 straight road games.

The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8. The Huntsville, Alabama native was one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last two seasons. He guided Troy University to a 23-4 record, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor. Sumrall returns to Tulane after serving as the Green Wave's Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.

TICKETS
Tickets for the Military Bowl, the men's and women's basketball teams games and the upcoming 2024 baseball season can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.

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Players Mentioned

Valentino Ambrosio

Chris Brazzell II

Darius Hodges

Makhi Hughes

Jha'Quan Jackson

Patrick Jenkins

Lawrence Keys III

Shedro Louis

Michael Pratt

Kanan Ray

Josh Remetich

Lance Robinson

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