Green Wave defense faces stiff test against potent SMU attack

Trekking to SMU for the regulae season finale, Tulane is hoping to gain their sixth win of the year in order to be eligible for bowl consideration.

Offensively, Jonathan Banks is coming off of perhaps his best game of the season in the big win over Houston. Dontrell Hilliard is over 1,000 yards with 1,069 yards rushing and 11 touchedowns. Rae Juan Marbley leads the Green Wave in tackles with 88 stops while West Jefferson’s Parry Nickerson had five interceptions.

The Wave will face a stiff challenge this weekend against the Mustangs, currently ninth in FBS total offense with 301.9 yards through the air and 193.4 yards rushing per game.

SMU sophomore quarterback Ben Hicks is the 16th rated passer in the nation with 3,067 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He threw for 397 yards in 58 attempts against Houston.

Former Barbe High and LSU wide receiver Trey Quinn is among the nation’s top pass catchers with 100 grabs for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Incidentally, former Jesuit and Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee is the nation’s 19th rated passer. The Nebraska signal caller has tossed for 2,938 yards and 21 touchdowns with 13 passes going to the wrong colored jersey.

Quinn is the nation’s all-time prep receiver with 357 career catches while at Barbe High for 6,566 yards. Evangel’s Abram Booty is fourth all time with 302 catches for 5,867 yards and 83 touchdowns.

Former Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk is the all-time high school passer with 18,932 yards. He had 219 touchdowns and 63 interceptions. The Kenton, Ohio native accomplished these stats from 2008-11.

LSU freshman Myles Brennan is fifth all time among prep passers. The former St. Stanislaus star threw for 16,168 yards. He is 12th all-time with 188 touchdown passes.