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Thousands of students, alumni and fans lined up to catch the throws of members of the Tulane football team as they rode the Blaine Kern Mardi Gras World floats to celebrate on campus Sunday afternoon.
But the biggest cheers likely came when coach Willie Fritz called on Alex Bauman, who was standing among his Green Wave teammates under the stage on the Berger Family Lawn, to prepare for one more pass from quarterback Michael Pratt.
“Now, dammit, you’ve got to catch this crazy football, right? And there’s no doubt this is a catch,” Fritz said with a laugh.
The catch made, Bauman was swarmed by his teammates, just as he had been after the game-winning touchdown catch in Tulane’s dramatic 46-45 Cotton Bowl victory over Southern California on Jan. 2.
Tulane team captains offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth, left, quarterback Michael Pratt and linebacker Nick Anderson share a laugh during Tulane University’s ‘Celebration Like No Other’ Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, to honor the Green Wave football team’s stunning 46-45 win over Cotton. Bowl win over USC. The event featured a short parade with Mardi Gras floats, a performance by the Bucktown All-Stars, food, a bouncy castle, merchandise from the campus bookstore, face painting, an AAC championship award, displays and free commemorative posters, tissues, pom poms and cotton candy. The team and university officials also thanked the fans for their support before being showered with confetti. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times – Picayune)
Fritz also told the crowd his secret weapon in preparing the team for the Cotton Bowl: payback for the Rose Bowl loss at the hands of USC.
“It was really to get revenge on USC for that 1932 game,” he said. “Our guys were talking about that 32 play all week when we were getting ready for the ballgame. They beat us 21-12 and we were so excited to get those guys back.”
Linebacker Nick Anderson, one of three team captains who joined Fritz on stage, said his most treasured moment of the 2022 season was at the end of the American Athletic Conference championship game, when Tulane beat Central Florida 45-28 at Yulman Stadium. December 3rd
“I’m on my knees at the 30-yard line and I see you guys rushing down the field,” he told the crowd. – To see all the tears, all the smiles, everyone just crying their eyes out.
“We did it for you, so don’t underestimate your role, the support you gave us all season.”
Fans show their support at Tulane University’s “Celebration Like No Other” on Sunday, January 22, 2023, to honor the Green Wave football team’s stunning 46-45 Cotton Bowl victory over USC. The event featured a short parade with Mardi Gras floats, a performance by the Bucktown All-Stars, food, a bouncy castle, merchandise from the campus bookstore, face painting, an AAC championship award, displays and free commemorative posters, tissues, pom poms and cotton candy. The team and university officials also thanked the fans for their support before being showered with confetti. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times – Picayune)
In addition to winning the Cotton Bowl and winning the AAC championship, Tulane finished the season ranked No. 9 in both the final Associated Press and coaches polls.
And Fritz was named the 2022 George Munger College Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club, the 2022 AAC Coach of the Year and the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year by the Dodd Foundation and the Peach Bowl.
Athletic director Troy Dannon highlighted the team’s accomplishments during an unusually stressful four years.
“When they were freshmen, they missed spring ball because of Covid,” he said. “And when they were sophomores, Covid was messing around all year. Most of these guys had about 500 Covid tests during their sophomore year just for practice and games.
“And then last year we thought we were ready to go, and then Hurricane Ida came,” Dannon said. “Finally, their senior year, their fourth year, their regular year, and look what they did.”
The biggest catalyst for Tulane football’s turnaround was the decision 14 years ago to build a new Yulman Stadium on campus, said Tulane President Michael Fitts.
“It was a really magical season,” he said.
Fans take photos of the AAC championship during Tulane University’s Celebration Like No Other on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, to honor the Green Wave football team’s stunning 46-45 Cotton Bowl victory over USC. The event featured a short parade with Mardi Gras floats, a performance by the Bucktown All-Stars, food, a bouncy castle, merchandise from the campus bookstore, face painting, an AAC championship award, displays and free commemorative posters, tissues, pom poms and cotton candy. The team and university officials also thanked the fans for their support before being showered with confetti. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times – Picayune)
Those attending the day’s festivities, which were delayed until Sunday due to rain, were able to take selfies in front of Tulane’s ACC championship. The Cotton Bowl trophy has yet to arrive on campus.
This work is supported by a grant funded by the Walton Family Foundation and administered by the Association of Environmental Journalists.
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