How Did We Get Here?

Patty V • October 11, 2022

Coming into the 2022 season, there wasn’t much talk about the Tulane Green Wave. They had come off of a largely disappointing 2021 campaign where they finished just 2-10. The media poll had them pegged to finish 7th in the AAC. Many pundits had them picked to have one of the worst defenses in the NCAA.


Fast forward to mid October, and now Tulane sits at 5-1, knocking on the door of their first Top25 ranking since 1998 (the unofficial National Championship Season), with a key victory over a power 5 school that is currently ranked #17. For context, the last time Tulane defeated a power 5 school was 2010, and that was a 4-8 Rutgers team. You’re probably wondering how on earth we got here? 


The short answer: That very same defense that was supposed to be one of the worst in the NCAA.


So what did they do? Outside of a few transfers, in Lummi Young IV and Patrick Jenkins, largely nothing is different personnel wise. One could argue that these two players, while playing well, really haven’t been major game changers either. 


However, somehow this defense, is currently ranked 15th overall in the NCAA, specifically led by their pass defense, currently ranked 4th in the nation only giving up 151 yards per game. They have managed to hold #17 ranked Kansas State to 10 points, with long shot heisman candidate Adrian Martinez under center. They also shut down ECU’s Hilton Ahlers, who came into the matchup #13th in the nation in passing yards, holding him to 1 touchdown 2 interceptions and just 5.6 yards per attempt. 


The defense has been swarming to say the least. Combine this with an offense that has always been creative enough to put points on the board, and you have a recipe for winning in New Orleans. (Someone tell the Saints)


Furthermore, the defense has had a player earn the honors of AAC defensive player of the week 4 of the 6 weeks the award has been given this season. Standouts to watch here are Macon Clark and Nick Anderson both earning the award twice so far. 


Whatever you feel the reason may be, I’m giving kudos to the coaching staff, specifically defensive coordinator Chris Hampton. For a little insight maybe we need look no further than his Twitter profile, where his bio states: “culture override’s scheme”.


Whatever your recipe is coach, keep it coming, the Green Wave fans everywhere are eating it up. 


Also, as a message to the NCAA #rankthewave you cowards.




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By Kaden Arkeder August 22, 2026
The second preseason game is shaping up to be quite the interesting one as there is numerous position battles being waged. These position battles are being fought over depth chart positioning or for the couple of roster spots up for grabs. Here is what I am looking out for in the preseason matchup against the Rams. The battle to be the backup quarterback behind Shough. Entering training camp I didn’t see this becoming a legitimate battle but give credit to Zach Wilson for taking advantage of his opportunities while Spencer Rattler has not done enough to cement himself as the backup thus far. Zach Wilson made some good reads and throws in the previous game showing he can move the offense down the field into scoring position. Moving the offense down the field was something Spencer Rattler was not able to do and will need to in this game if he wants to keep this a competition heading into the final preseason game against the Cowboys. This battle could come down to the wire so buckle up over these next two games. Up next I am keeping an eye on is the WR depth chart battle. With Tyson injured there is a good chance another roster spot opened up for another wide receiver to make the roster. But not only that because of the injury there is increased opportunity for these young wide receiver to make a bigger impact early on in their careers than expected. I’ll be looking to see if they can take advantage of that or if the Saints might have to add a veteran to the mix to bring in some experience. Speaking of experience, it appears as though the experience Charlie Smyth got last year has not translated into consistent results quite yet which leaves the door open Tanner Brown to potentially win the kicking job should Smyth continue to miss on his opportunities. This is a position where it’s been in a flux since Will Lutz was moved the team would greatly benefit from some consistency and reliability after not having for a couple years. However, the experience Martin Emerson Jr and Jayden Price have showed up in a big way in the Jaguars game. I’m looking to see if they can make the same kind of impact in this game as they did in the last because if so I think the Saints would feel a lot better about the cornerback position heading into the season as they probably did heading into training camp. Lastly with the news of Alvin Kamara being out for a few weeks with an injury of his own I’d like to see if any of the other running backs on the roster can standout and make a case for themselves to be RB3. Last week Ty Chandler had the kickoff return which set up Audric Estime for the touchdown so I give them the lead on trying to secure a roster spot as of right now. But there is still time for someone else to make a case over these next two games to widen the competition. Looking at the game in general I’m pretty excited to see how the team looks versus the Rams. The Rams have been a Super Bowl contender for a while and will prove to be a good litmus test for the Saints to see where they are in their preparation for the regular season. It’s one thing to look good against the Jaguars but another if they look good against the Rams.
Football player in red kicks as teammate kneels on field during game, crowd blurred in background
By Patrick Harkness August 20, 2026
K 
Jackson Courville- Ohio State 
He committed on January 12, 2026 (after entering the portal January 2) and is now on Tulane’s 2026 roster as a redshirt junior (#96, 5’10”, 185 lbs) from Centerville, OH (Centerville HS). 
Here’s why Courville aligns so well with the Green Wave program: 
• Proven Leg Strength and Clutch MAC Production
: In two seasons as Ball State’s starting kicker (2023-24), he went 26-of-34 on field goals (76.5%) and 54-of-56 on extra points. Highlights include a game-winning 52-yard FG as time expired vs. Northern Illinois (2024), his career long, plus multiple makes from 50+ yards. He was automatic inside 40 yards and showed the power and accuracy Tulane needs after the departure of standout Patrick Durkin. 
• P4 Experience and Fresh Start
: After battling for the job at Ohio State in 2025 (limited to just 4 XPs in one appearance), he brings valuable Big Ten reps and camp competition experience. Now at Tulane, he’s locked in a competitive spring battle with Cooper Helmke and Zach Marini. 
• Immediate Depth and Competition in a Reloading Unit
: Tulane aggressively addressed special teams via the portal after losing Durkin. Courville arrives as a high-upside veteran with two years of eligibility left, ready to compete for the starting job and provide reliable kicking depth right away. 
In short, Jackson Courville is a smart, high-character portal pickup who brings proven production, big-leg power, and built-in chemistry with the offense to a position group that needed reinforcements. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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