New Quarterback, No Problem
The Green Wave
defense came up with turnovers to go with a 31-17 win over Memphis in
quarterback Trace Johnson's first start.
Tulane's
decision to start true freshman Trace Johnson was the biggest storyline
entering a must-win game against Memphis, but the Green Wave defense made sure
Johnson did not have to win on his own.
A
stifling defensive performance saw the Green Wave come up with six takeaways
and seven sacks as they held one of the country's top 10 offenses to 17 points
in a 31-17 win.
Tulane
Head Coach Will Hall says the strong defensive performance and turnovers came
down to the game plan and defensive line.
"Memphis
stretches [the defense] and they have good players, but when the field shrinks,
you have a chance," Hall said. "I think our young men in the trenches won their
one-on-ones, which swung the game in our favor."
Defensive
back Kevin Adams III benefited from the defensive line play, recording two of
the team's three interceptions, including the game-sealing pick with 34 seconds
left.
Following
the tough loss to Army in week six, Adams says he talked with the defense and
they decided the Memphis game would come down to them.
"Right
after the Army game, me, Dixon, Makhai, and Jack spoke to the rest of the
defense and said it was up to us to win our one-on-ones every play and play and
that's what we did," Adams III said.
Although
the defense looked as if they could win the game of their own Johnson made sure
their worked didn't go for granted.
Johnson's
stats did not fly off the box score, throwing for 165 yards, around half of
Memphis' 306 yards, and one touchdown to Memphis' two, but he made successful
reads all game and did what he needed to.
Those
smart reads only came after the coaching staff stopped trying to protect and
let go of the reigns following a stagnant first quarter on offense, Hall says.
"He
made plays when we needed him to after we cut him loose and let him play, had
the spark," Hall said. "He hit Fat then he broke a tackle and got it in the
endzone, then he came back on the next series and hit ADS."
The
schedule doesn't get any easier for Johnson next week as the Green Wave host
the American Conference leader UTSA (5-1) on Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m.
