Tulane Women’s Golfers Return to National Rankings after First Tournament in Three Years
September 26, 2008
Green Wave’s 10th place finish at Cougar Classic earns the team a No. 37 rankingSept. 25, 2008
New Orleans - The Tulane women’s golf team wasted little time with their return to the ranks of the nation’s elite collegiate golf programs, as the Green Wave re-entered the national rankings this week at No. 37 according to Golfweek.com Click here for rankings
Following a three-year hiatus for the program due to Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005, the Green Wave returned to the links for the first time since the fall 2005 campaign a little under two weeks ago at the 2008 Cougar Classic, and came away with a 10th-place finish among a field of 22 teams, including 10 squads that were either nationally ranked or receiving votes.
Tulane, which is comprised of two sophomore-transfers and four true freshmen for first-year head coach John Thomas Horton, is currently the second-highest ranked team in Conference USA behind 31st-ranked Tulsa, the defending conference champions.
“I know it is early in the season and we have a long way to go, but it is still an honor to have Tulane’s name mentioned in the same breath as some of the great teams around us in the national rankings,” Horton said. “This is a tribute to the ladies on this team and the hard work they have put forth over the summer and early this year. I am proud of them and their effort thus far.”
Tulane was last spotted in the national rankings during the fall 2005. The last time the Green Wave competed for a full year was in 2004-05, and the team turned in the best season in school history with a Conference USA team title and a 15th place finish at the NCAA Championships. Tulane concluded the season with a No. 12 ranking by Golfweek.com.
The team returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Badger Invitational at the University Golf Club in Madison, Wisc. The Wave is one of 12 teams competing in the field, and is the third-highest rank squad behind No. 2 California and No. 36 Indiana.
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 LopezAfter 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.
Tulane beats SMU 34-27, improves to 2-2
September 26, 2008
Tulane beats SMU 34-27, improves to 2-2 - Tulane Beat - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
Posted by The Times-Picayune September 25, 2008 10:07PM
Categories: Football
AP Photo / Bill HaberAndre Anderson was big in Tulane’s 34-27 win.Tulane survived a shaky second-half performance from its offense to escape the Superdome on Thursday night with a 34-27 victory over SMU.
The victory improved the Green Wave to 2-2, 1-1 in Conference USA.
Running back Andre Anderson powered the Green Wave’s offensive attack, running 36 times for 219 yards, his second consecutive game with more than 100 yards rushing. He had one touchdown.
After scoring 31 points in the first half as it rolled to a 31-7 lead, the Tulane offense stagnated in the second half behind two turnovers which led to SMU scores. The Mustangs scored on a 13-yard pass from freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to Terrance Wilkerson with 2:03 left in the game but Tulane was able to run the clock out behind Anderson’s strong running. He raced for 40 yards at the 1:25 mark to ice the game.
Tulane quarterback Kevin Moore had a strong first half, passing for three touchdowns, two to junior wide receiver Jeremy Williams.
Mitchell played well for the Mustangs (1-4, 0-2), who are in their first year of Coach June Jones’ run-and-shoot offense. The game could have been closer if not for some sloppy play by SMU receivers. They dropped eight of Mitchell’s passes in the first half.
Tulane will try to get over the .500 mark when it plays host to Army on Oct. 4 at Tad Gormley Stadium. It is Tulane’s homecoming game.
Tulane wins second straight, 34-27 over SMU
September 26, 2008
Kevin Moore passed for three touchdowns and Andre Anderson ran for 219 yards and a score, leading Tulane to its second-straight victory, 34-27 over SMU.
http://www.topix.com/ncaa/tulane/2008/09/t…
Tulane wins second straight, 34-27 over SMU
September 25, 2008
Kevin Moore passed for three touchdowns and Andre Anderson ran for 219 yards and a score, leading Tulane to its second-straight victory, 34-27 over SMU on Thursday night.
http://www.topix.com/ncaa/tulane-football/…
Tulane wins second straight, 34-27 over SMU
September 25, 2008
Kevin Moore passed for three touchdowns and Andre Anderson ran for 219 yards and a score, leading Tulane to its second-straight victory, 34-27 over SMU on Thursday night.
http://www.topix.com/ncaa/tulane/2008/09/t…
Tulane, SMU to display ‘old-school’ offenses
September 25, 2008
Tulane, SMU to display ‘old-school’ offenses - Tulane Beat - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
Posted by Ted Lewis, The Times-Picayune September 24, 2008 10:48PMBack in the day, the West Coast offense and the run-and-shoot were considered cutting edge.
But now with the spread in its many variations dominating in college football, the West Coast offense and run-and-shoot are considered old-school attacks.
Not at Tulane and Southern Methodist, though. The Green Wave and the Mustangs will have their once-and-future attacks on full display tonight in their Conference USA game at the Superdome.
“We’re not trendy,” Tulane Coach Bob Toledo said of himself and SMU Coach June Jones, who took over the Mustangs this year after guiding BCS-busting Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl last season. “I’m still going to wear the bell-bottom pants and stripes and all that stuff.
“So those people who want to go to the spread option and all that stuff, let ‘em. I’m convinced what we’re doing is right, and June’s doing what he believes in.”
So far, Toledo’s being proven correct, at least about what he’s doing.
Although the Green Wave (1-2, 0-1 Conference USA) is not scoring prodigiously (18.0 points per game) and total offense (361.33 yards per game) is actually down from last season’s norm of 395.9, its West Coast offense is accomplishing one thing it is supposed to do — dominate in time of possession.
Tulane averages holding the ball 36 minutes, 28 seconds to its opponents’ 24:32, and has run 78 more plays in three games.
That ball control, in turn, keeps the defense off the field, part of the reason the Green Wave is No.¤8 nationally in total defense.
“They’re running the ball really well, and they’re throwing the ball really well,” SMU defensive coordinator Tom Mason said. “They really control the line of scrimmage. It’s a very effective offense.”
The news is not as good for SMU (1-3, 0-1), which is understandable because Jones is taking over a program that was 1-11 last season and is going with a freshman quarterback who had committed to Hawaii before Jones took the SMU job.
After decent showings in his first two games against Rice and Texas State, Bo Levi Mitchell has been harassed into seven interceptions and six sacks by ranked foes Texas Tech and Texas Christian, leading to decisive 43-7 and 48-7 defeats.
It hasn’t helped that the Mustangs have three other freshman offensive starters and that they’re ranked last nationally in total defense, allowing 530.5 yards per game.
“I see some foundation starting to get built, but we’re not making the plays,” Jones said. “You wish your young quarterback was making better plays, but that’s life when you go with a freshman. We’ve just got to keep plugging along until we get rolling.”
Meanwhile, Toledo has the advantage of being in the second year of his program.
Last season, without a quarterback experienced in the West Coast offense, he had to make do with quarterbacks Scott Elliott and Anthony Scelfo and fully use the benefit of inheriting future NFL running back Matt Forte.
This year, with starter Kevin Moore having had time to learn the system, the Green Wave is employing all of the elements of the West Coast offense — a physical running attack combined with play-action passes based on quick timing.
Moore is mobile in the pocket, but isn’t called on to run. His accuracy rate (57.6 percent), while not at the 65 percent Toledo would like to see, is an improvement from last year’s 51.1.
The Green Wave also is getting the balance Toledo wants. Tulane has attempted 121 passes and has 114 rushes.
“We’re light-years ahead of last year in our understanding,” he said. “When we say something, they know what we’re talking about. Kevin especially has a great understanding of what we’re trying to do, and he’s throwing the ball well. Last year, we had some guys open and we couldn’t hit them; now we are.”
Toledo learned the classic West Coast offense from Bill Walsh, but his version is more along the line developed by Mike Holmgren, featuring more I formations and screen passes while occasionally going to the shotgun.
There’s another West Coast offense feature — everyone’s a potential receiver. In the opener against Alabama, Moore’s 28 completions were spread among 11 players.
That’s about the only place the West Coast offense and the run-and-shoot share common ground.
Jones’ version of the run-and-shoot, learned from Mouse Davis, for whom he played at Portland State, usually features an empty backfield with up to five people in various crossing patterns.
Unlike the spread, which is dependent on a quarterback with running ability and also makes good use of the tailback, the run-and-shoot is pass first, last and sometimes only.
Against TCU, SMU had only 12 rushes, three of them sacks of Mitchell. Not surprisingly, the Mustangs are last in the country in rushing, averaging 31.25 yards.
“The biggest thing about the run-and-shoot is that you’ve got to defend the entire field,” Tulane defensive coordinator O’Neill Gilbert said. “Usually, you’re just defending spots, but they’ve got so many crossing routes, especially on the inside, you’ve got to have a great awareness of where your man is headed.
“And you know they’re going to complete some on you. But you just have to hold them to short yardage, especially in front of the sticks.”
The quick-timing release can make it hard to get to the quarterback, even for a team such as Tulane, which leads the country in sacks, but Gilbert said he felt the Green Wave can take advantage of facing a freshman quarterback.
“Under pressure, freshmen make mistakes,” he said. “But he understands the offense and he can throw the ball. I think we can do a good job of putting pressure on him and at least getting hands in his face.”
Both defenses have faced the obstacle this week of not only going against unfamiliar offenses, but having to do it with two days less preparation than normal.
“We’ve got a pretty smart team at picking up tendencies, so that hasn’t been a big problem,” Gilbert said. “And they make you do a lot of running around, but that’s why we worked so hard to get in shape during the summer and run wind sprints every day. I can’t wait to see what happens.”
Tulane Football Seeks First Conference USA Win of the Year this Thursday vs. SMU
September 24, 2008
The Tulane football team will look to string together back-to-back wins and notch its first Conference USA victory of the season when the Green Wave hosts league rival SMU this Thursday at the Louisiana …
http://www.topix.com/ncaa/tulane-football/…
Tulane Football Seeks First Conference USA Win of the Year this Thursday vs. SMU
September 24, 2008
The Tulane football team will look to string together back-to-back wins and notch its first Conference USA victory of the season when the Green Wave hosts league rival SMU this Thursday at the Louisiana …
http://www.topix.com/ncaa/tulane/2008/09/t…
Tulane’s Dade turns corner on, off field
September 24, 2008
Tulane’s Dade turns corner on, off field- NOLA.com
Freshman wins academic appeal, playing time for Green Wave
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
By Ted LewisTo Coach Bob Toledo, Dominique Dade was history — a player with great potential, who unfortunately hadn’t made it academically beyond his freshman year at Tulane, and thus was highly unlikely ever to be part of the football team again.
So imagine Toledo’s surprise when Dade showed up last week, proudly bearing his class schedule, after winning his appeal to be re-admitted to the university.
And imagine Toledo’s even bigger surprise when Dade, who hadn’t worked out, much less practiced, since the second day of fall camp six weeks before, earned a starting spot at nickel back for last Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe, played three-quarters of the defensive snaps, made four tackles and returned a punt 18 yards — the Green Wave’s longest since 2006 — in Tulane’s 24-10 victory at the Superdome.