Five final thoughts: Tulane completes dream season by stunning USC in unforgettable Cotton Bowl
Tulane and USC played in the Cotton Bowl on January 2. The Green Wave won 46-45. Both teams had disappointing seasons in 2021. They both finished with 11-2 records. The game was a shootout. Tulane came from 15 points down to win.
Tulane beat USC in the Cotton Bowl. The game was reminiscent of the Oklahoma vs. Tulane game in which Michael Pratt saved his team. He was the hero in that game. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 234 yards and 2 touchdown passes. His favorite target was Alex Bauman. It was a New Year's Six game and he was rarely used. In the game, he targeted Baumans four times on that final series. This time, the connection resulted in a winning touchdown. A quick glance at the box score doesn't do justice to how extraordinary and gutsy he played.
Caleb Williams was the winner of the Heisman Trophy. He received 544 of 929 possible first-place votes. The USC quarterback posted a spectacular season. His team lost to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. He had a good game despite a hamstring injury. It was his first New Year's Six outing. In the game, he didn't take a single sack. There were no All-Pac-12 players on his offensive line. They were deprived of Andrew Vorhees and Brett Neilon. Williams' ability to race around the pocket and extend plays neutralized the Green Wave’s blitzes.
Tulane won three games to close its storybook season. Tyjae Spears was named Offensive MVP in the Cotton Bowl victory over USC. He was also named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year. Spears declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Tolane averaged 39.3 points per game during the season thanks to Spears' 7.9 yards per carry. The team averaged 40.2 points in its final three wins. Tulane finished the campaign with a New Year's Six trophy.
USC lost to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. The team was one win away from its first College Football Playoff appearance. It was the first time since 2016 that the Trojans didn't win the turnover battle. The Trojan defense allowed 533 yards of offense and surrendered 9.1 yards per pass and 6.4 yards on the ground. Tulana ran 52 plays and averaged 10. 4 yards a snap. They averaged 29.3 yards for completion and 9 yards each for rushing. In the game, Tulano ran 84 plays compared to the Trojan's 52.
Tulane won the conference title and played in the Cotton Bowl. The team was affected by Hurricane Ida in 2021 and finished 2-10. In 2022, the team reached their first ranking since 1998 and won their conference. They lost to Southern Miss and Houston, but they won over Cincinnati and UCF. They were beaten by USC in a dramatic fashion in Cottonbowl. It was the first time Tulane played a team that won in that manner. Tulan won a New Year's Six game. Their team won by a score of 16-16.
