Tulane vs. South Alabama 2026
Tulane relied on the run game for most of its success, but when the Green Wave needed big plays late in a 28-24 win over South Alabama, they leaned on their junior quarterback Kadin Semonza to make a quick decision.
Semonza connected with his brother for a 34-yard bomb to move Tulane into the South Alabama 40-yard line, then lobbed a pass to wide receiver Destyn Hill for the go-ahead touchdown a couple of plays later.
Tulane head coach Will Hall called for a run on the play, but Semonza saw an opening and took the game into his hands.
"I really wasn't supposed to throw it, but it got to the point of the game where I wanted to take it into my hands. I wanted to go make a play to win the game, and God willing, that's what I did," Semonza said.
Hall said the game-winning touchdown resulted from a balanced offense thanks to an efficient rushing attack matching the passing offense in yardage.
"Our ability to run and throw, to complement each other, gave us an advantage at that point, because on the last play, [Hill] was one-on-one because they chose to defend the run," Hall said.
Running back Jaylin Lucas led that rushing attack with 214 yards on 11 carries, the most yards by any Tulane running back in Yulman Stadium since it opened in 2016.
Lucas' connection to the region and city as a Houma native and Edna Karr graduate only made the record and win more special. "This city means a lot to me. It's good being able to come back and pick up where I left off."
Hall said Lucas, along with Johnny Daniels, who scored twice, would not have had the chance to impact the game in the same way if not for a much-improved performance from the offensive line after a poor showing in a 14-3 loss to Duke in week one.
"Credit to our offensive line and tight ends because they were much maligned after last weekend. They deserved it, they knew it, and they owned that," Hall said. "They came out and played so much better; we created space for Jaylin, and he hit it."
Tulane travels to Manhattan, Kansas, this week to face Kansas State, the team's second Power Five opponent in three weeks, on September 19.
