Tulane Football 2024 Gasparilla Bowl Talks
Dec 19, 2024 | Football
TAMPA, Fla. – With Tulane's football team playing in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 against Florida, 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 19 is defensive back Jalen Geiger. Our questions and his answers are below.
TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the Gasparilla Bowl?
Jalen Geiger: "It has been great coming out here in this weather and enjoying all the experiences with my teammates. We had back-to-back cold weather games to end the season so to be here in Tampa at this great event has been a blessing" Â
TGW: Tell us a little bit about your third day here. What did you guys do?
JG: "For our third day here we had a team event at the MacDill Air Force Base. It was cool. We had the opportunity to talk and interact with some of the soldiers on the base along with walking through and taking some pictures in a plane and a helicopter. I just really enjoyed going through that experience with my teammates additionally both of my parents were in the Army, so it hit home a little bit for me."
TGW: Have you been to Tampa before this bowl trip?
JG: "This is actually my first time in Tampa. I have been to most of the other major cities in the state of Florida, so this has been a great opportunity to experience everything here."
TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game?
JG: "Yes, my family will be coming later today. I have five people coming in my Mom, my Dad, my siblings and a friend from back home."
TGW: What was your favorite or best Christmas present growing up?
JG: "I was a real big sneakerhead growing up so anytime my Mom got me a pair of shoes such a pair of Jordans I would be stoked."
TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
JG: "I would say with me being new to the program this year after transferring in January what I will remember from the season is the brotherhood that I have built with my teammates that will last forever."
______________________________________________________________________________________
Question and Answer - Reggie Brown - Tight End - 12/18/24
TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the Gasparilla Bowl?
Reggie Brown: "The experience has been good since we touched down in Tampa. I am having a lot fun and bonding experiences with my teammates." Â
TGW: Tell us a little bit about your second day here. What did you guys do?
RB: "We have been doing a lot of adventuring around the city, riding around on scooters, taking in the views on the water and trying new food places. Last night we tried a new food restaurant called Sauceyy Fangerz and also went to the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game."
TGW: How has this experience of being in Tampa compared to your previous trips?
RB: "This time in Tampa, since we have a little longer stay than a typical regular season conference road trip to play USF, we have had more downtime and the opportunity to see and explore more of the city."
TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game?
RB: "Yes, my family will be coming to the game, and they will arrive on Thursday."
TGW: What was your favorite or best Christmas present growing up?
RB: "I got remote control car that was similar to an Audi as a kid and I never stopped playing with it."
TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
RB: "I would say the touchdown catch that I had against Oklahoma."
_______________________________________________________________
Question and Answer - Will Karoll - Punter - 12/17/24
TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the Gasparilla Bowl?
Will Karoll: "We were greeted warmly from the time we got off the plane on Monday in Tampa. The weather was great as it was mild especially compared to the cold weather we experienced when we played at Army for the conference championship game in New York. The Gasparilla Bowl staff was very welcoming. The team hotel is in a great location downtown where we were able find out way around for dinner last night." Â
TGW: Tell us a little bit about your first day here. What did you guys do?
WK: "There was a team event at Busch Garden in the afternoon and then a group of eight of us went to a Mediterranean restaurant last night. It was a lot of fun. We just hung out. The weather was very good, so we didn't have to rug up. It was a cool vibe. Tampa is a young city, and I think we are going to enjoy the rest of the week here."
TGW: Have you been to Tampa before?
WK: "I haven't been to Tampa as the closest was the team's trip to Boca Raton last season to play FAU."
TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game and if so how many?
WK: "No, my family or friends will not be coming to the game, so I gave away my tickets to some of the boys from Florida. Hopefully they use them well."
TGW: What was your favorite or best Christmas present growing up?
WK: "I used to get these pool toys when I was a kid that would that sink and could be used either in the ocean or the pool. Probably the best ones were the florescent weighted ones."
TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
WK: "I would say the game against UAB. I didn't get in the game very much since we didn't have to punt a whole lot, but it was a lot of fun to see the boys' ball out and seeing what we are capable of doing when we were all focused and in rhythm."
The Tulane football team (9-4) was selected to participate in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The game will be played on Friday, Dec. 20, in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT against Florida (7-5).
This is the sixth time in the last seven 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, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl). Overall, this will be Tulane's 17th 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, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-9 in bowl games.
Tulane will face off with Florida for the 22nd time in school history, but the first time since 1984. This will only be the third time that schools have played against each other since 1969. The Green Wave have lost 11 straight to the Gators and are looking for their first win over Florida in 78 yards. Tulane was a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 1933-1965. Florida has been an SEC member since the official founding of the league in 1933. The first time that Tulane and Florida played was in 1915 with the Gators earning a 14-7 victory. Tulane is 3-8 all-time against Florida as a non-conference opponent. This will be the first neutral site contest between the schools.
Tulane is coming in off the team's third straight AAC Championship Game appearance. The program sports a 32-9 record over the last three seasons. The team's 32 wins is the fourth-most nationally. The team placed first or second in the AAC in 10 different categories including leading the league in third down conversions (52.5), defensive touchdowns (6), completion percentage (65.6), scoring offense (37.2) and passing efficiency defense (111.65). The team was the national leader in defensive touchdowns with six.
The team had a league-high 18 players selected All-AAC this season including Derrick Graham (First Team – offensive tackle), Shadre Hurst (First Team – offensive guard), Makhi Hughes (First Team – running back), Patrick Jenkins (First Team – defensive line), Mario Williams (Second Team – wide receiver), Josh Remetich (Second Team – offensive guard), Vincent Murphy (Second Team – center), Tyler Grubbs (Second Team – linebacker), Sam Howard (Second Team – linebacker), Bailey Despanie (Second Team – defensive back), Micah Robinson (Second Team – cornerback), Rayshawn Pleasant (Second Team – return specialist), Rashad Green (Third Team – offensive tackle), Alex Bauman (Third Team – tight end), Kameron Hamilton (Third Team – defensive line), Adin Huntington (Third Team – defensive line), Caleb Ransaw (Third Team – cornerback) and Yulkeith Brown (Honorable Mention – wide receiver).
Hughes ranks second in the conference and 10th nationally in rushing with 1,372 yards. He also has run for 15 touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 176 yards and two scores. His 17 total touchdowns places him third in the conference and 13th nationally.
Grubbs leads a balanced Tulane defense with 59 tackles. He had six stops for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Howard has totaled 57 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a school-record five fumble recoveries. Hamilton and Jenkins are tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks. Robinson and Grubbs are tied for the team with two interceptions.
The Green Wave's football team was chosen for third in the AAC Preseason Media Poll with 362 points plus two first-place votes at the annual conference media day.
The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8, 2023. The Huntsville, Alabama native has been one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last three seasons with a record of 32-8, 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 returned 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.
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TICKETS
Tickets for the Gasparilla Bowl, the men's and women's basketball teams games and the upcoming 2025 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
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Â
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.
                                                    - TulaneGreenWave -
Â
TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the Gasparilla Bowl?Jalen Geiger: "It has been great coming out here in this weather and enjoying all the experiences with my teammates. We had back-to-back cold weather games to end the season so to be here in Tampa at this great event has been a blessing" Â
TGW: Tell us a little bit about your third day here. What did you guys do?
JG: "For our third day here we had a team event at the MacDill Air Force Base. It was cool. We had the opportunity to talk and interact with some of the soldiers on the base along with walking through and taking some pictures in a plane and a helicopter. I just really enjoyed going through that experience with my teammates additionally both of my parents were in the Army, so it hit home a little bit for me."
TGW: Have you been to Tampa before this bowl trip?
JG: "This is actually my first time in Tampa. I have been to most of the other major cities in the state of Florida, so this has been a great opportunity to experience everything here."
TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game?
JG: "Yes, my family will be coming later today. I have five people coming in my Mom, my Dad, my siblings and a friend from back home."
TGW: What was your favorite or best Christmas present growing up?
JG: "I was a real big sneakerhead growing up so anytime my Mom got me a pair of shoes such a pair of Jordans I would be stoked."
TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
JG: "I would say with me being new to the program this year after transferring in January what I will remember from the season is the brotherhood that I have built with my teammates that will last forever."
______________________________________________________________________________________
Question and Answer - Reggie Brown - Tight End - 12/18/24
TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the Gasparilla Bowl?Reggie Brown: "The experience has been good since we touched down in Tampa. I am having a lot fun and bonding experiences with my teammates." Â
TGW: Tell us a little bit about your second day here. What did you guys do?
RB: "We have been doing a lot of adventuring around the city, riding around on scooters, taking in the views on the water and trying new food places. Last night we tried a new food restaurant called Sauceyy Fangerz and also went to the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game."
TGW: How has this experience of being in Tampa compared to your previous trips?
RB: "This time in Tampa, since we have a little longer stay than a typical regular season conference road trip to play USF, we have had more downtime and the opportunity to see and explore more of the city."
TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game?
RB: "Yes, my family will be coming to the game, and they will arrive on Thursday."
TGW: What was your favorite or best Christmas present growing up?
RB: "I got remote control car that was similar to an Audi as a kid and I never stopped playing with it."
TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
RB: "I would say the touchdown catch that I had against Oklahoma."
_______________________________________________________________
Question and Answer - Will Karoll - Punter - 12/17/24
TGW: Tell us about the experience of arriving and being at the Gasparilla Bowl?Will Karoll: "We were greeted warmly from the time we got off the plane on Monday in Tampa. The weather was great as it was mild especially compared to the cold weather we experienced when we played at Army for the conference championship game in New York. The Gasparilla Bowl staff was very welcoming. The team hotel is in a great location downtown where we were able find out way around for dinner last night." Â
TGW: Tell us a little bit about your first day here. What did you guys do?
WK: "There was a team event at Busch Garden in the afternoon and then a group of eight of us went to a Mediterranean restaurant last night. It was a lot of fun. We just hung out. The weather was very good, so we didn't have to rug up. It was a cool vibe. Tampa is a young city, and I think we are going to enjoy the rest of the week here."
TGW: Have you been to Tampa before?
WK: "I haven't been to Tampa as the closest was the team's trip to Boca Raton last season to play FAU."
TGW: Is your family planning on attending the game and if so how many?
WK: "No, my family or friends will not be coming to the game, so I gave away my tickets to some of the boys from Florida. Hopefully they use them well."
TGW: What was your favorite or best Christmas present growing up?
WK: "I used to get these pool toys when I was a kid that would that sink and could be used either in the ocean or the pool. Probably the best ones were the florescent weighted ones."
TGW: What has been your favorite or best memory from the season?
WK: "I would say the game against UAB. I didn't get in the game very much since we didn't have to punt a whole lot, but it was a lot of fun to see the boys' ball out and seeing what we are capable of doing when we were all focused and in rhythm."
The Tulane football team (9-4) was selected to participate in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The game will be played on Friday, Dec. 20, in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT against Florida (7-5).
This is the sixth time in the last seven 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, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl). Overall, this will be Tulane's 17th 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, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-9 in bowl games.
Tulane will face off with Florida for the 22nd time in school history, but the first time since 1984. This will only be the third time that schools have played against each other since 1969. The Green Wave have lost 11 straight to the Gators and are looking for their first win over Florida in 78 yards. Tulane was a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 1933-1965. Florida has been an SEC member since the official founding of the league in 1933. The first time that Tulane and Florida played was in 1915 with the Gators earning a 14-7 victory. Tulane is 3-8 all-time against Florida as a non-conference opponent. This will be the first neutral site contest between the schools.
Tulane is coming in off the team's third straight AAC Championship Game appearance. The program sports a 32-9 record over the last three seasons. The team's 32 wins is the fourth-most nationally. The team placed first or second in the AAC in 10 different categories including leading the league in third down conversions (52.5), defensive touchdowns (6), completion percentage (65.6), scoring offense (37.2) and passing efficiency defense (111.65). The team was the national leader in defensive touchdowns with six.
The team had a league-high 18 players selected All-AAC this season including Derrick Graham (First Team – offensive tackle), Shadre Hurst (First Team – offensive guard), Makhi Hughes (First Team – running back), Patrick Jenkins (First Team – defensive line), Mario Williams (Second Team – wide receiver), Josh Remetich (Second Team – offensive guard), Vincent Murphy (Second Team – center), Tyler Grubbs (Second Team – linebacker), Sam Howard (Second Team – linebacker), Bailey Despanie (Second Team – defensive back), Micah Robinson (Second Team – cornerback), Rayshawn Pleasant (Second Team – return specialist), Rashad Green (Third Team – offensive tackle), Alex Bauman (Third Team – tight end), Kameron Hamilton (Third Team – defensive line), Adin Huntington (Third Team – defensive line), Caleb Ransaw (Third Team – cornerback) and Yulkeith Brown (Honorable Mention – wide receiver).
Hughes ranks second in the conference and 10th nationally in rushing with 1,372 yards. He also has run for 15 touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 176 yards and two scores. His 17 total touchdowns places him third in the conference and 13th nationally.
Grubbs leads a balanced Tulane defense with 59 tackles. He had six stops for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Howard has totaled 57 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a school-record five fumble recoveries. Hamilton and Jenkins are tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks. Robinson and Grubbs are tied for the team with two interceptions.
The Green Wave's football team was chosen for third in the AAC Preseason Media Poll with 362 points plus two first-place votes at the annual conference media day.
The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8, 2023. The Huntsville, Alabama native has been one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last three seasons with a record of 32-8, 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 returned 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.
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TICKETS
Tickets for the Gasparilla Bowl, the men's and women's basketball teams games and the upcoming 2025 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
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Â
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.
                                                    - TulaneGreenWave -
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/ FootballPostgame: HC Jon Sumrall and WR Anthony Brown-Stephens - 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
Postgame: LB Sam Howard - 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
Tulane Tuesday: WR Shazz Preston - 9/16/25
Tuesday, September 16
Tulane Tuesday: Spear TJ Smith - 9/16/25
Tuesday, September 16
