PHOTO BY: SOPHIA GERMER
The Tulane football team (3-2, 1-0 AAC) put together a dominant effort in defeating visiting USF (2-3, 0-1 AAC) 45-10 in the conference opener on Saturday afternoon at Yulman Stadium.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah went 18-for-22 for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Dontae Fleming led the team with his seven catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Mario Williams hauled in four passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Yulkeith Brown tallied three catches for 55 yards. Junior tight end Alex Bauman totaled two catches for 34 yards. Redshirt freshman Makhi Hughes totaled a game-high 61 rushing yards. Junior quarterback Ty Thompson rushed seven times for 39 yards and also completed his only pass for four yards. Sophomore running back Arnold Barnes III carried the ball seven times for 36 yards. Senior running back Shaadie Clayton-Johnson totaled five carries for 31 yards.
Senior linebacker Tyler Grubbs led the defense with six tackles, including a sack. Junior defensive back Caleb Ransaw totaled four tackles. Gerrod Henderson recorded the first two sacks of his career and forced a fumble.
The Tulane offense piled up 528 yards and 30 first downs in the game, with 198 yards rushing and 330 yards through the air. The defense forced three turnovers, totaling six sacks and seven tackles for loss.
After a quick three-and-out by the Tulane defense to start the game, the Green Wave marched down the field and scored the first touchdown as Hughes rushed it from the five, putting the home team up 7-0 with 10:37 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Green Wave, after another defensive stop, again went down the field quickly on a seven-play, 88-yard drive capped with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Mensah to Fleming, putting Tulane up 14-0 with 4:39 left in the first quarter.
Tulane continued to roll on the ensuing possession as Ethan Head converted a 35-yard field goal, increasing the lead to 17-0 with 8:50 in the second quarter.
The Wave kept the offense in high gear as Williams caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Mensah to complete a four-play, 74-yard drive, extending Tulane's lead to 24-0 with 4:19 until the half.
The Tulane defense quickly got the offense back on the field as Henderson recorded a sack-fumble that was recovered by Parker Petersen. This turnover led to a short field and a quick drive finished off by Mensah connecting with Williams on a 27-yard touchdown, increasing the Green Wave's lead to 31-0 with 1:54 remaining in the half.
USF scored its first and only touchdown of the game with a 10-yard rush from Byrum Brown, making the score 31-7 at halftime.
After a Bulls' field goal cut the deficit to three scores, the Green Wave responded as Hughes rushed in from the nine to finish off a 12-play, 75-yard drive, extending the lead to 38-10 with 14:54 remaining.
Tulane's offense kept the foot on the gas as Cornist rushed in from two yards, finalizing the score at 45-10. A standout play on the drive was a 46-yard reception by Fleming.
Next, the football team plays a road conference game against UAB on October 5 at 12 p.m. at Protective Stadium.
Conclusion
Tulane's impressive performance against USF showcases their strength and balance on both sides of the ball as they gear up for their next conference game against UAB. With a dominant offense and a relentless defense, the Green Wave are poised to continue their strong push in the AAC.
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