Tulane needs big impact quarterback play to become winning program

For the Tulane football program, it was a moment from the 2018 season that will stick.

In front of a national TV audience on the main ESPN channel on a Thursday night, the Green Wave was hammered by Houston 48-17.

Two constants during a three-game losing streak came to an end.

The improved Green Wave defense was smashed for 298 rushing yards, and quarterback Justin McMillan, who had steadied the Tulane offense, threw only 10 completions with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

So, it is back to the drawing board, with one more chance for an elusive sixth win Saturday against Navy. For the Green Wave, it is a chance to be bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.

Navy won its third game of the season Saturday, a 37-29 victory in their home finale over Tulsa. However, the Midshipmen may have been most impressive in a pair of losses, by 11 to Central Florida and by 22 to the University of Notre Dame.

Regardless of whether Tulane wins or loses Saturday, there’s the bigger picture to consider.

For the Tulane football program to get where it needs to go, the Green Wave will have to find quarterback play that can elevate the program.

Over the last 45 years, tell me the outstanding season by the Green Wave and we can match the quarterback: 1973 (Steve Foley), 1979 (Roch Hontas), 1980 (Nickie Hall), 1987 (Terrence Jones), 1997-1998 (Shaun King) and 2002 (J.P. Losman).

In 2013, Tulane won six and reached the New Orleans Bowl with junior college transfer Nick Montana, a solid starter but the Green Wave defense was stout.

Tulane is a mid-major football school.

Except for an occasional outlier, the Green Wave isn’t going to attract superior offensive and defensive lineman. Those two- and three-star players must be developed with the weight room and quality coaching.

It is an ongoing process. In the meantime, a quarterback who can make three or four big plays a game can help you defeat a superior opponent.

Here’s some numbers. This season, Houston starter D’Eriq King, who left the Tulane came with a season-ending injury had 36 touchdown passes and 14 rushing. The last time Tulane had those numbers was 20 years ago with Shaun King, who threw 38 touchdown passes.

Here’s the Tulane touchdown pass total over the last 10 seasons, starting with 2018 all the way back to 2009: 11, 12, 10, 18, 13, 19, 23, 13, 19, 13.

You can’t blame the quarterbacks for all of that. Many times, they were working behind sub-standard to mediocre offensive lines. But the impact at the quarterback position for the Green Wave has been minimal. That has to change.

There’s a myriad of instances of how talented quarterbacks can make a difference in college football.

In Baton Rouge, Joe Burrow is a big reason why LSU is a Top 10 team, including victories over Georgia at home and both Auburn and Miami away from Tiger Stadium.

At Nicholls, the Colonels are headed to the FCS playoffs again, this time as Southland champions. Quarterback Chase Fourcade, a three-year starter, has been the catalyst.

Tulane has a chance to make a step forward as a program against Navy.

However, for bigger steps to be taken, a difference maker under center must be found.