Tulane comes up short at UCF, 14-10

ORLANDO – The Tulane University football team held UCF to a season-low 277 yards, but it was not enough, as the Knights rallied back to defeat the Green Wave 14-10 on Saturday at the Bounce House.
 
Tulane held a 10-7 fourth quarter lead and appeared headed for its first-ever win at UCF, but the Knights found the endzone with 5:55 remaining in the game to secure the win.
 
Despite the loss, Tulane’s defensive unit posted its best performance of the year. The Green
Wave held UCF to just 48 yards rushing which also was its fewest output all year. Coming into the
game, UCF lowest rushing output was 148 yards.
 
Tulane’s defensive unit also registered 3.0 sacks and a season-high 11.0 tackles for loss.
 
Dorian Williams led the way with eight tackles, while teammate JoJo Dorceus chipped in with 7.0 stops and 2.0
tackles for loss. He also added a 36-yard fumble recovery.
 
Running back Tyjae Spears led the Green Wave offensively with a game-high 77 yards on the ground. Quarterback Michael Pratt also chipped in with 147 yards through the air, as he made his first appearance after suffering an injury in the SMU game back on Oct. 21.
 
UCF struck first as it went 94 yards in seven plays. The Knights capped the drive, as quarterback Mikey Keene found wide receiver Ryan O’Keefe for a 15-yard completion for a touchdown. The scoring play was set up by a 53-yard completion from Keene to O’Keefe on third and eight. Three plays later, UCF found the endzone.
 
Tulane threatened to score before the end of the half, but were unable to convert on a 42-yard field game.
 
The Green Wave came out of the locker room, firing on all cylinders, as it marched 80 yards in nine plays to tie the game at seven apiece. Spears capped the drive with an eight-yard rush, marking the fourth straight game he has found the endzone.
 
Tulane would go on to take the lead late in the third quarter thanks to a 25-yard field goal by Merek Glover, but that would be all the points the Green Wave would manage for the rest of the game.

The Green Wave return to action on Saturday, as they welcome Tulsa for Homecoming. Fans can CLICK HERE for complete listing of all Tulane University events during its homecoming weekend.

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TULANE 10, UCF 14 – POSTGAME NOTES (41,030)

TEAM NOTES
• The Green Wave held UCF to just 14 points at the Bounce House. UCF’s 14-point effort was its fewest output at home since 2015 when it scored just three points against USF.
• Tulane outgained UCF 279-277. UCF’s 277-yard performance was the fewest yards it has gained all year.
• The Green Wave held UCF to just 48 yards rushing which also was its fewest output all year. Coming into the game, UCF lowest rushing output was 148 yards.
• With the loss, Tulane slipped to 2-9 all-time against UCF.
• Tulane has now dropped four straight games to the Knights.
• The Green Wave’s four-point loss to UCF marked Tulane’s second loss by one score or less this season. Tulane’s four-point loss to the Knights also marked the 18th game the Green Wave have lost by eight points or less since the start of 2018 campaign.
• Tulane’s matchup with UCF marked the 11th all-time meeting between the two teams.
• Tulane held a 10-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but was unable to hold on to the win as UCF scored the go ahead score with 5:55 remaining in the game.
• Nick Anderson, Michael Pratt, Jeffery Johnson and Sincere Hayesworth served as the team captains.
• Tulane defensive back Rudy Dyson carried the Wave of Change flag and offensive lineman Corey Dublin carried the No. 18 flag in honor of former Tulane student-athlete Devon Walker.
• With the loss, head coach Willie Fritz dropped moved to 223-115-1 all-time.

OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Offensive starters for the Green Wave were QB Michael Pratt, WR Shae Wyatt, RB Tyjae Spears, WR Jaetavian Toles, OL Sincere Haynesworth, OL Caleb Thomas, OL Corey Dublin, OL Rashad Green, OL Joey Claybrook, TE Tyrick James, TE Will Wallace.
• Dublin’s start was the 58th of his career. Dublin has the most starts of any player on the team.
• Pratt returned to the lineup after he missed last week with an injury.
• Pratt finished the game by going 17-of-28 through the air for 147 yards and no touchdowns, marking the first time in his collegiate career in which he had not thrown a touchdown. Prior to today, Pratt had thrown a touchdown in 17 straight games.
• Spears finished the game with 77 rushing yards and found the endzone for the fourth straight game. Spears also was the team’s leading receiver with five catches for 35 yards.
• Sophomore Cameron Carroll also chipped in as he finished with 60 yards on just 11 carries (5.5 yards per carry).

DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Defensive starters for the Green Wave were LB Nick Anderson, LB Dorian Williams, DB Jaylon Monroe, DB Ajani Kerr, DB Jadon Canady, DB Larry Brooks, DB Macon Clark, DL Darius Hodges, DL JoJo Dorceus, DL Jeffery Johnson, DL Eric Hicks Jr.
• Johnson’s start was the 41st of his career which is the most of any player on the defense.
• Dorian Williams led the team with 8.0 tackles.
• JoJo Dorceus also chipped in with 7.0 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. He also added a 36-yard fumble recovery.
• As a defensive unit, Tulane had three sacks and season-high 11.0 tackles for loss.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Punter Ryan Wright finished the game with six punts for 290 yards (44.8 average). He also totaled a long punt of 69 yards and dropped two punts inside the 20-yard line.
• Wright also had a punt blocked. Tulane had not had a punt blocked since the 2018 campaign.
• Jha’Quan Jackson finished the game with a season-high 47 punt return yards. His 26-yard punt return in the second half was a season-long.
• Merek Glover connected on one extra point and a field goal. He now has 325 career points. He needs just eight more points to become the school’s all-time leading scorer.