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Anderson a workhorse vs. Mustangs

September 26, 2008

Anderson a workhorse vs. Mustangs- NOLA.com

Wide receiver Mitchell comes back strong after suspension
Friday, September 26, 2008
By Andrew Lopez

After Matt Forté left for the NFL, Andre Anderson knew he would be the featured back in Tulane’s offense — but just how much of a feature was going to remain a mystery in the beginning.

Tulane signed two freshman running backs — Albert Williams and Nathan Austin — who showed flashes in fall camp and figured to take away some of Anderson’s workload.

He also had four catches for 38 yards.

Anderson had 33 carries for 82 yards against East
Carolina two weeks ago and rushed 38 times for 157 yards and
a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday.

Anderson’s 38 carries tied Forté for fifth on the
school’s single-game list.

FIRST-TIMERS: Tulane sophomore receiver Alan Mitchell, who
was suspended the first three games, made his collegiate
debut against the Mustangs.

School officials didn’t say why Mitchell was
suspended.

Mitchell’s first catch was a 23-yard reception that
gave Tulane a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. He filled in
for Chris Dunn, who sat out with a pinched nerve in his
shoulder.

Although Mitchell’s first career touch was a
positive for the Green Wave, fullback Kasey Stelley’s
was not. On the first touch of the freshman’s career,
Stelley fumbled after catching a pass in the flat from
quarterback Kevin Moore. SMU’s Derrius Bell forced the
fumble, and the Mustangs recovered.

HIGH MARK FOR WR WILLIAMS: Wide receiver Jeremy Williams
topped 100 yards for the second time this season and the
fifth in his career.

He also had two touchdown receptions. It was the third
consecutive game in which he has caught a touchdown pass.

RUNNING MUSTANGS: Entering Thursday’s game, SMU ranked
last in the NCAA in rushing with 31.3 yards per game. After
a three-and-out on its first drive, Mustangs punter Thomas
Morstead took a fake punt and ran 34 yards.

The run also was the longest of the season for SMU. In
the first four games, the previous long was a 22-yard carry
by DeMyron Martin.

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT: Tulane took a 31-7 lead into halftime,
showing offensive potency that hadn’t been seen in some
time for the Green Wave.

It was the most Tulane had scored in a half since scoring
35 points in the second half against Alabama-Birmingham on
Oct. 23, 2004, in a 59-55 win. It also was the most points
scored in the first half since scoring 31 in a 48-22 win
over Texas Christian on Oct. 13, 2001.

WHICH WAY? Before the opening kickoff, it seemed each team
had some jitters about playing on national television.

The teams lined up on the wrong side of the field and had
to switch before the game could get under way.

QUICK HITS: Tulane senior tight end Justin Kessler, who
missed last week’s game with a neck injury, played and
wore a neck roll. . . . During halftime, Tulane’s
marching band joined with select members from Recovery
School District school marching bands as part of its field
show.

But as the season has progressed, Anderson is becoming more of a staple in Tulane’s offense. Anderson rushed 36 times for 219 yards, including a 40-yard gain on Tulane’s final drive that helped put the game out of reach, in the Green Wave’s 34-27 victory against SMU on Thursday night at the Superdome.

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