USC vs. Tulane score: Trojans collapse late as Green Wave rally from 15 down in Cotton Bowl 2023
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt went head-to-head with newly minted Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, with several slamming points in the final minutes of the sequence that saw the Green Wave score the final 16 points of the game. I hung up to make some important plays. 4 and a half minute regulation. Trailing 45-30, Pratt led the offense down the field with 23 seconds to score a touchdown and cut the lead to eight points. After a mistake on the ensuing kickoff, the Green Wave Defense packed USC into its own end zone for safety.
Pratt then helped lead a game-winning drive that included multiple third and fourth down conversions before landing a touchdown strike with just eight seconds remaining.
Tulane’s winning ability comes from the resilience he displayed throughout the afternoon. The Green Waves saw him trail 14-0 early on and after coming back to a draw, at halftime he was trailing 28-14, and late in the third quarter he was back 28-24. These efforts heralded a final push, bolstered in part by running back Tyjae Spears. Recorded at least 100 yards rushing. He totaled 205 yards and four touchdowns on 17 attempts in the win.
The win cements what is arguably the biggest one-season turnaround in modern college football history. A year ago he was 2-10, now he’s 12-2 and he’s AmericanAthleticHe’s the conference championship and Top 10He’s the Cotton Bowl win over USC I’m here. This is already his program’s biggest bowl appearance since 1939, and to begin this kind of comeback on this stage cements a true storybook moment for Coach Willie Fritz and Greenwave.
The loss was an incredibly disappointing result for what was a great show from the 2022 Heisman winners. Williams threw for his 462 yards and scored five touchdowns on 37-of-52 passes (71%), explaining why Heisman voters are drawn to his electric playmaking ability. showed everything. Tulane has had one of his better defenses in his AAC this year, breaking down blocks and putting pressure on Williams, but one thing Green has struggled with is Williams. to the ground. It was also a great performance for wide receiver Brenden Rice, making his career day (6 catches, 174 yards, 2 touchdowns) in the absence of Jordan Addison.
It’s also a disappointing conclusion to what has been Lincoln Riley’s successful first season at USC. Finished with 2 losses from 4th to being a loser in the New Year’s Six. Oh, and now Riley himself is 1-4 in bowl games throughout his career.
Now that Williams is back, the challenge will be to replenish the roster, especially on defense, with a shot at the 2023 Pac-12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearances.