It isn't often you can can look at a 47-13 loss and think that the teams were somewhat evenly matched, but to the fans who watched the matchup today, that feeling is tough to forget.
In the defeat, Tulane produced 375 yards of offense to Duke's 437. Not exactly the kind of line you would expect in a 34 point loss. So what happened?
1. Duke Never Lost Control
If there is a reason to walk away frustrated after a game like this, it's because of the many flashes the Green Wave showed today. While the defense looked outmatched in the first series of the game when Duke ran for an easy touchdown, Tanner Lee and the Gang responded with a crisp, professional drive to the end zone to make the game 7-7.
Another touchdown later, Tulane was snapping the ball over the punter's head to hand the Blue Devils a safety and make the game 16-7.
When the teams came back from the half, a Duke received uncharacteristically beat Lorenzo Doss almost immediately for a huge game and to set up another touchdown. This is where we're all thinking it's about to go down the tubes, but the Green Wave responds with a critical touchdown.
That's where things got crazy. First, Tulane committed a false start on the extra point and then followed with a wide left extra point attempt.
Then the defense put together a great stand, looking extremely hungry and bringing up the stop with a three and out (which almost was ended by an interception). However, a Duke punt led to a Tulane fumble, and the Blue Devils controlled the game from that point forward.
2. Special Teams are a Nightmare
Advocate beat writer Scott Kushner has been the Chicken Little in this regard for months now, but the special teams situation in Uptown is an absolute disaster.
As you can see in the kick above, we're struggling with basically anything that involves putting a foot on a ball.
It got worse though. As the game was out of reach, a dropped Tulane snap led to Peter Piccerelli trying to make a run for it. That wasn't that bad, though the conventional wisdom is to hit the deck.
As he went down, the ball came out, and Tulane managed to retrieve it. At that point, you can see what happens next.
3. In better news, Lazedrick Thompson killed it.
Thompson had his best game of the season, by far. On top of the 124 yards he put up, he was a reliable runner on virtually every competent Tulane drive this game. When they needed yards, Thompson was able to step up for it.
While it would have been great to see the "thunder and lightning" running back combo with freshman standout Sherman Badie, Badie entered the game a bit banged up and listed as questionable to play. The run game, by far was the strength of the offense today.
4. Tanner Lee Struggles with Location
It's important to remember that Tanner Lee is a freshman, and Duke is a good team with a defense that was able to put pressure on Johnny Football last season during bowl season.
Unfortunately, Tanner was not able to find his rhythm today and coughed up three turnovers, including one in the first half that killed the team's momentum after a strong drive to the end zone.
The final line: 14/35, 160 yards, 3 interceptions, 0 TD
5. Some Perspective Though
Especially after the strong start last year, it's easy to be disappointed in the 1-3 start to this season, especially with the historic opening of Yulman Stadium.
That said, the combined record of the three teams Tulane lost to is now 9-2. Both Georgia Tech and Duke are both undefeated and in position to contend for their conference's title this year.
Unlike previous season, Tulane's schedule is clearly front-loaded, with a few other extremely challenging matchups in the late season (circle East Carolina, because the Pirates are going to be looking for revenge after last year).
With a trip to Rutgers this week, Tulane will have a good shot to bounce back and built some momentum.
6. FearTheWave.com Prediction Review: Duke 42, Tulane 17
Came pretty close on this one. Like I said, the 47-13 final score is not reflective of how the first three quarters looked, when the teams had a good chance to trade blows. When the train was off the rails, the Blue Devils put up two more touchdowns with a Tanner Lee pick six and the crazy play off the botched punt you saw above.
Once again, the Green Wave showed flashes of its tremendous upside but was bogged down by turnovers, unnecessary penalties, and a truly struggling special teams unit.
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