 Tulane looks t improve its 8-6-1 record against Army this upcoming Saturday.
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Spirits should be high for this Saturday's Tulane football game at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park, and not just because it's Homecoming Weekend.
Students and alumni will be thrilled because Tulane's opponent, Army (0-4), will give the Green Wave a very good chance to show off its skills on both sides of the ball.
The Green Wave enters the game coming off two straight victories, both in impressive fashion. The offense has looked spectacular, averaging 450 yards per game and scoring seven of their 10 total touchdowns. The defense has played similarly well, despite a scare in the second half of last week's game against SMU.
Junior running back André Anderson, coming off his Louisiana State Player of the Week performance against SMU, will be especially important this week, as Tulane will have to prolong every possession.
"Normally you get the ball about 13 times a game - We'll probably have the ball nine or 10 times against Army," head coach Bob Toledo said. "They just keep the ball away from you. They just frustrate you, and what happens is you feel like you have to score on every possession. They put pressure on you to have to score."
Tulane's offense, which currently is ranked first in the country in time of possession, will look to continue the game plan and well-established rhythm that has worked well in the past two games - relying on the run to open up the play-action pass.
The Green Wave defense will have to see its fourth different offensive scheme in as many games, going up against the Black Knights spread option running attack that goes for the short consistent pick-up rather than the game-changing play.
"They make three yards, four yards, two yards or whatever and then it's fourth and one or two and they go for it and make it," Toledo said. "They just keep the ball away from you."
Like last year's Homecoming, Saturday's game will be played at Tad Gormley Stadium to allow fans to tailgate before the game. Live music will be playing all through out the day, and some other planned events include a parade and a team walk-through. Attendance is projected to be similar to last year's sell out crowd, making for a better football environment than the often-empty Superdome.
"It gives you energy and it's exciting to play in front of a big crowd," Coach Toldeo said. "Otherwise it just feels like practice."
2008 Woodie Awards
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