Utter domination met Southern University in the Crescent City in the form of a green wave.
Southern (0-2) took to the field on Saturday, September 10, 2016 to battle the Green Wave in New Orleans, Louisiana. The previous week resulted in a loss to the University of Louisiana Monroe despite redshirt running back Lenard Tillery Rushing for a game high 161 yards. This game was not a repeat of the efforts placed by Southern University last week.
Approximately 27,179 fans gathered in the Yulman Stadium to watch this match up and records were placed but not on Southern’s end. The win over Southern accounted for Tulane’s first victory in a home opener since defeating Jackson State, 34-7, on Aug. 31, 2013.The first quarter was dominated by Tulane’s Running Back, Dontrell Hillard, who acted as the leading rusher for The Green Wave.
Junior quarterback Austin Howard threw for 83 yards while his opposing quarterback threw for just 5 and attested for 2 interceptions.
Tulane scored 7 times more than Southern in the first half, sending the Jaguars into the locker room with only 7 points on the scoreboard (7-49).
FACT: Southern University allowed 437 total rushing yards by the Green Wave. This was the most rushing yards since 1973 and third most in school history.
“In the beginning we made too many mistakes. When we play a good team, a good team is going to capitalize off those mistakes,” stated Jaguar running back Lenard Tillery.
Southern gained momentum in the third quarter with the help of Danny Johnson who picked off of Glen Cuiellette for a 26-yard touchdown.
“I just took my chance and tried to make a play on the ball,” explained the junior Defensive Back.
Last week against ULM, Johnson secured a career high 11 tackles, 4 snaps, and 2 interceptions.
Southern scored 14 points in the third quarter but just couldn’t find a way to cut the large lead down. 5th year senior wide receiver, Willie Quinn, allotted for 7 passes for 129 yards.
And yet it still wasn’t enough.
The Head Coach of the Green Wave, Willie Fritz, emptied out his bench during the game, literally.
“Got to play a lot of guys which is great because they work so hard that you want to reward them with some playing time,” he explained.
Jonathan Brantley led The Green Wave in rushing yards, finishing the game with a total of 119 while his teammate added Dontrell Hillard 103.
Tulane’s special teams rallied for two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, and 86-yard kickoff return that resulted in a touchdown.
You win some, you lose some. The Jaguars look to moving forward for the duration of the season.
“You just have to tell your guys to keep on fighting and to keep on pushing,“ reassured Tillery.
Southern will begin their conference play at their first home game on Saturday September 17, 2016 against Alabama State University.
Kayla Foster/DIGEST
Junior running back Hebert Edwards avoids a Greenwave defender during the Jaguars matchup against Tulane on Saturday, September 10, at Yulman Stadium.
