For the first time since the 2002 season, the Tulane Green Wave football team started their season 2-0. After a huge victory against the Massachusetts Minutemen, the Green Wave kept rolling with a 52-0 shutout victory against the Alcorn State Braves. This was the first Green Wave football shutout since November of 1997 when they beat the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 56-0. With 10 games left, the Green Wave have already matched their win total from last season, although that was not on Coach Willie Fritz’s mind at the time. 

When asked about tying their previous win total, coach Fritz said, “I hadn’t thought of that. We were all very disappointed after last season, no question about it. We’ve turned the page, we’ve moved on.”

The game got off to a rough start for the Green Wave, with quarterback Michael Pratt fumbling on the opening third down. However, linebacker Nick Anderson was able to block the field goal attempt from the Braves and kept the game knotted at 0. Pratt set career highs in passing yards — with 318 — and completion percentage — 81%. 

Wide Receiver Shae Wyatt also had a career day, with five catches for 130 yards and a touchdown, including a 72 yard catch and run on the opening third quarter drive for Tulane. Pratt gave him a lot of praise postgame saying, “He’s super consistent for me, he’s one of my favorite targets … he’s been working super hard during the offseason … he’s picked up his speed and agility, being able to make people miss.”

Sophomore WR Dea Dea McDougle was able to score his first collegiate touchdown this week, with a 16-yard rushing touchdown. With 11 minutes left in the third quarter, Pratt was able to leave the game and allow the other quarterbacks to take some snaps. Justin Ibieta, the freshman QB, threw nine passes for seven completions and 72 yards, while adding a rushing touchdown of his own. 

The Tulane defense continued their dominant play as well, allowing only 109 yards of total offense. Over the past two games, Tulane has only allowed 66 passing yards, creating four interceptions and allowing 10 points. Alcorn State got their first first down with 9:59 to play in the second quarter and only had four by the end of the game. In contrast, Tulane had 30 first downs, with the last time this was done was against Army on Oct. 28, 2006. 

For Alcorn State, Syracuse transfer Jarveon Howard was limited to just eight carries for eight yards, which was a key component in keeping Alcorn State off the scoreboard. Last week against Stephen F. Austin, Howard ran for 194 yards and a touchdown. 

Tulane faces the Kansas State Wildcats next week in Kansas on Sept. 17 at 2pm. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Wildcats are undefeated this year and won last week’s matchup against the Missouri Tigers 40-12.