# 2022 Tulane Green Wave football team

The 2022 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Green Wave played their home games at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, and competed in the American Athletic Conference (The American). They were led by seventh-year head coach Willie Fritz. They finished the season 12–2, 7–1 in AAC play to earn a trip to the AAC championship game. The Green Wave defeated UCF to win the AAC championship, the school's first conference championship since 1998 and its first AAC championship. They received a bid to the Cotton Bowl Classic to play No-10 ranked USC. It was their first major bowl game since the 1940 Sugar Bowl. Tulane defeated USC in the Cotton Bowl 46–45, scoring 16 points in the final four minutes to win the game. In the game, with 4:30 remaining and the team facing a 15-point deficit, Tulane's win probability stood at 0.2%, yet the Green Wave pulled off the incredible comeback.
Following a 45–31 win against South Florida, Tulane was ranked in the AP Poll for the first time since 1998. It was also the fastest Tulane has ever clinched bowl eligibility in school history at October 15. November 12's home game against UCF was the first Tulane home game between two ranked opponents since 1949. For the first time since 1984, Tulane beat an opponent ranked in the AP top 25, although Tulane did beat Army in 2019 when they were ranked No. 25 in the Coaches Poll. The ten-win turnaround from two wins in 2021 to twelve in 2022 is the best in NCAA history. The Green Wave were ranked 9th in the final AP Poll, the highest ranking of the Green Wave since 1998.

## Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released
| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| Maxwell Award | Michael Pratt | QB | JR |
| Doak Walker Award | Tyjae Spears | RB | JR |
| John Mackey Award | Tyrick James | TE | SR |
| Rimington Award | Sincere Haynesworth | OL | SR |
| Outland Trophy | Sincere Haynesworth | OL | SR |
| Paul Hornung Award | Jha'Quan Jackson | WR | JR |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Nick Anderson | LB | SR |

## Schedule

Tulane and The American announced the 2022 football schedule on February 17, 2022.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 6:00 p.m. | UMass* | | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA | ESPN+ | W 42–10 | 15,101 |
| September 10 | 6:00 p.m. | Alcorn State* | | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA | ESPN+ | W 52–0 | 14,501 |
| September 17 | 2:00 p.m. | at Kansas State* | | Bill Snyder Family Football StadiumManhattan, KS | ESPN+ | W 17–10 | 50,887 |
| September 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Southern Miss* | | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA (Battle for the Bell) | ESPN+ | L 24–27 | 20,422 |
| September 30 | 6:00 p.m. | at Houston | | TDECU StadiumHouston, TX | ESPN | W 27–24 $^{OT}$ | 24,319 |
| October 8 | 2:30 p.m. | East Carolina | | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA | ESPNU | W 24–9 | 14,193 |
| October 15 | 3:00 p.m. | at South Florida | | Raymond James StadiumTampa, FL | ESPNU | W 45–31 | 31,053 |
| October 22 | 2:30 p.m. | Memphis | No. 25 | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA | ESPN2 | W 38–28 | 30,100 |
| November 5 | 11:00 a.m. | at Tulsa | No. 19 | H.A. Chapman StadiumTulsa, OK | ESPNU | W 27–13 | 15,122 |
| November 12 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 22 UCF | No. 17 | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA | ESPN2 | L 31–38 | 27,317 |
| November 17 | 6:30 p.m. | SMU | No. 21 | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA | ESPN | W 59–24 | 20,894 |
| November 25 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 24 Cincinnati | No. 19 | Nippert StadiumCincinnati, OH | ABC | W 27–24 | 37,989 |
| December 3 | 4:00 p.m | No. 22 UCF | No. 18 | Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA (AAC Championship Game) | ABC | W 45–28 | 30,118 |
| January 2, 2023 | 12:00 p.m | vs. No. 10 USC* | No. 16 | AT&T StadiumArlington, TX (Cotton Bowl Classic) | ESPN | W 46–45 | 55,329 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 1) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### vs UMass

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Minutemen | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Green Wave | 7 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 42 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: September 3, 2022
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Rainy, 81 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 15,101
* Referee: Tim Rich
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Benjamin (play-by-play) and Brian Kinchen (analyst)
| Statistics | UMASS | TUL |
| First downs | 14 | 20 |
| Total yards | 217 | 369 |
| Rushes/yards | 58–200 | 39–196 |
| Passing yards | 17 | 173 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 4–11–3 | 13–22–0 |
| Time of possession | 33:15 | 26:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UMass | Passing | Gino Campiotti | 2/6, 12 yards, 2 INT |
| UMass | Rushing | Tim Baldwin Jr. | 13 carries, 65 yards |
| UMass | Receiving | George Johnson III | 1 reception, 11 yards |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 12/20, 164 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 12 carries, 57 yards, 3 TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Jha'Quan Jackson | 1 reception, 34 yards |

### vs Alcorn State (FCS)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Braves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Wave | 17 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 52 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: September 10, 2022
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 14,501
* Referee: Nate Black
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Benjamin (play-by-play) and Brian Kinchen (analyst)
| Statistics | ALCN | TUL |
| First downs | 4 | 30 |
| Total yards | 109 | 558 |
| Rushes/yards | 32–60 | 44–159 |
| Passing yards | 49 | 399 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 5–14–1 | 25–31–0 |
| Time of possession | 24:49 | 35:11 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alcorn State | Passing | Markevion Quinn | 2/4, 34 yards |
| Alcorn State | Rushing | Javonta Leatherwood | 8 carries, 30 yards |
| Alcorn State | Receiving | C. J. Bolar | 1 reception, 19 yards |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 17/21, 318 yards, 3 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Iverson Celestine | 11 carries, 43 yards |
| Tulane | Receiving | Shae Wyatt | 5 receptions, 130 yards, TD |

### at Kansas State

| Pregame line | Over/under |
| K-State –13.5 | 49.0 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Green Wave | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| Wildcats | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, KS
* Date: September 17, 2022
* Game time: 2:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy • Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Wind: S 17 MPH
* Game attendance: 50,887
* Referee: Hank Johns
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Neely (play-by-play), Todd Doxzon (analyst), and Shane Sparks (sideline)
| Statistics | TUL | KSU |
| First downs | 18 | 15 |
| Total yards | 336 | 336 |
| Rushes/yards | 40–160 | 42–186 |
| Passing yards | 176 | 150 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 13–26–2 | 21–31–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:17 | 31:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 13/26, 176 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Tulane | Rushing | Michael Pratt | 13 carries, 87 yards |
| Tulane | Receiving | Duece Watts | 3 receptions, 60 yards |
| Kansas State | Passing | Adrian Martinez | 21/31, 150 yards, TD |
| Kansas State | Rushing | Deuce Vaughn | 20 carries, 81 yards |
| Kansas State | Receiving | Malik Knowles | 5 receptions, 52 yards |

### vs Southern Miss

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 0 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
| Green Wave | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: September 24, 2022
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 20,422
* Referee: Kevin Randall
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Benjamin (play-by-play) and Brian Kinchen (analyst)
| Statistics | USM | TUL |
| First downs | 13 | 26 |
| Total yards | 253 | 451 |
| Rushes/yards | 27–59 | 47–204 |
| Passing yards | 194 | 247 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–25–0 | 19–29–1 |
| Time of possession | 23:59 | 36:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southern Miss | Passing | Zach Wilcke | 17/25, 194 yards, 2 TD |
| Southern Miss | Rushing | Frank Gore Jr. | 16 carries, 44 yards |
| Southern Miss | Receiving | Jakarius Caston | 8 receptions, 91 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 19/29, 247 yards, TD, INT |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 22 carries, 114 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Tyjae Spears | 5 receptions, 74 yards |

### at Houston

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Green Wave | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
| Cougars | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 24 |
at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX
* Date: September 30, 2022
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 24,319
* Referee: Tim Rich
* TV announcers (ESPN): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
| Statistics | TUL | HOU |
| First downs | 14 | 22 |
| Total yards | 273 | 383 |
| Rushes/yards | 28–84 | 48–175 |
| Passing yards | 189 | 208 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–26–0 | 22–33–0 |
| Time of possession | 23:05 | 36:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tulane | Passing | Kai Horton | 11/22, 132 yards, 3 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 14 carries, 54 yards |
| Tulane | Receiving | Tyjae Spears | 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD |
| Houston | Passing | Clayton Tune | 22/33, 208 yards, 2 TD |
| Houston | Rushing | Brandon Campbell | 19 carries, 66 yards, TD |
| Houston | Receiving | Tank Dell | 8 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TD |

### vs East Carolina

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Pirates | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Green Wave | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: October 8, 2022
* Game time: 2:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 83 °F (28 °C)
* Game attendance: 14,193
* Referee: Luke Richmond
* TV announcers (ESPNU): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline)
| Statistics | ECU | TUL |
| First downs | 24 | 22 |
| Total yards | 419 | 391 |
| Rushes/yards | 23–131 | 32–41 |
| Passing yards | 288 | 350 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 32–52–2 | 28–35–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:25 | 32:35 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| East Carolina | Passing | Holton Ahlers | 32/51, 288 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| East Carolina | Rushing | Marlon Gunn Jr. | 7 carries, 67 yards |
| East Carolina | Receiving | Isaiah Winstead | 9 receptions, 90 yards |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 27/34, 326 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 16 carries, 53 yards |
| Tulane | Receiving | Duece Watts | 4 receptions, 93 yards, TD |

### at South Florida

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Green Wave | 3 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 45 |
| Bulls | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
at Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL
* Date: October 15, 2022
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
* Game attendance: 31,053
* Referee: Kevin Randall
* TV announcers (ESPNU): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
| Statistics | TUL | USF |
| First downs | 30 | 13 |
| Total yards | 564 | 337 |
| Rushes/yards | 51–235 | 28–118 |
| Passing yards | 329 | 259 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 23–36–0 | 14–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 36:52 | 23:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 23/35, 329 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 18 carries, 151 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Jha'Quan Jackson | 7 receptions, 86 yards |
| USF | Passing | Katravis Marsh | 7/15, 150 yards, 2 TD |
| USF | Rushing | Gerry Bohanon | 5 carries, 59 yards, TD |
| USF | Receiving | Jimmy Horn Jr. | 5 receptions, 98 yards, TD |

### vs Memphis

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| No. 25 Green Wave | 21 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 38 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: October 22, 2022
* Game time: 2:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 30,100
* Referee: Edwin Lee
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
| Statistics | MEM | TUL |
| First downs | 23 | 19 |
| Total yards | 415 | 344 |
| Rushes/yards | 33–103 | 41–186 |
| Passing yards | 312 | 158 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 26–41–2 | 20–29–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:44 | 32:16 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Memphis | Passing | Seth Henigan | 26/41, 312 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT |
| Memphis | Rushing | Seth Henigan | 13 carries, 42 yards |
| Memphis | Receiving | Eddie Lewis | 3 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 20/29, 158 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 24 carries, 125 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Dae Dae McDougle | 5 receptions, 37 yards |

### at Tulsa

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 19 Green Wave | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| Golden Hurricanes | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
at Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OK
* Date: November 5, 2022
* Game time: 11:00 a.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 15,122
* Referee: Hank Johns
* TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schiffren (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
| Statistics | TUL | TLSA |
| First downs | 24 | 16 |
| Total yards | 482 | 257 |
| Rushes/yards | 53–357 | 34–111 |
| Passing yards | 125 | 146 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 11–19–1 | 13–25–0 |
| Time of possession | 34:02 | 25:58 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 11/19, 125 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 14 carries, 157 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Duece Watts | 2 receptions, 42 yards |
| Tulsa | Passing | Braylon Braxton | 13/25, 146 yards, TD |
| Tulsa | Rushing | Deneric Prince | 14 carries, 55 yards |
| Tulsa | Receiving | JuanCarlos Santana | 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD |

### vs No. 22 UCF

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 22 Knights | 17 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| No. 17 Green Wave | 7 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: November 12, 2022
* Game time: 2:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 27,317
* Referee: Nate Black
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline)
| Statistics | UCF | TUL |
| First downs | 27 | 21 |
| Total yards | 468 | 391 |
| Rushes/yards | 54–336 | 27–155 |
| Passing yards | 132 | 236 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–30–0 | 23–39–0 |
| Time of possession | 35:24 | 24:36 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 17/30, 132 yards, TD |
| UCF | Rushing | John Rhys Plumlee | 18 carries, 176 yards, 2 TD |
| UCF | Receiving | Javon Baker | 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 23/39, 236 yards, 3 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 8 carries, 130 yards |
| Tulane | Receiving | Jha'Quan Jackson | 5 receptions, 95 yards |

### vs SMU

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Mustangs | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
| No. 21 Green Wave | 21 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 59 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: November 17, 2022
* Game time: 6:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Clear, 50 °F (10 °C)
* Game attendance: 20,894
* Referee: Hank Johns
* TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Harry Lyles, Jr. (sideline)
| Statistics | SMU | TUL |
| First downs | 31 | 20 |
| Total yards | 470 | 451 |
| Rushes/yards | 41–141 | 42–310 |
| Passing yards | 329 | 141 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 35–52–2 | 9–14–0 |
| Time of possession | 33:46 | 26:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| SMU | Passing | Tanner Mordecai | 32/49, 298 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| SMU | Rushing | Tyler Lavine | 18 carries, 82 yards |
| SMU | Receiving | Tyler Lavine | 7 receptions, 62 yards |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 9/14, 141 yards, 3 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 13 carries, 121 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Shae Wyatt | 3 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD |

### at No. 24 Cincinnati

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 19 Green Wave | 3 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| No. 24 Bearcats | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH
* Date: November 25, 2022
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 50 °F (10 °C)
* Game attendance: 37,989
* Referee: Luke Richmond
* TV announcers (ABC): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
| Statistics | TUL | CIN |
| First downs | 22 | 19 |
| Total yards | 383 | 337 |
| Rushes/yards | 48–221 | 43–235 |
| Passing yards | 162 | 102 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 13–22–0 | 10–26–1 |
| Time of possession | 33:59 | 26:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 13/22, 162 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 35 carries, 185 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Shae Wyatt | 3 receptions, 62 yards |
| Cincinnati | Passing | Evan Prater | 10/26, 102 yards, INT |
| Cincinnati | Rushing | Ryan Montgomery | 17 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD |
| Cincinnati | Receiving | Will Pauling | 2 receptions, 41 yards |

### vs No. 22 UCF (AAC Championship Game)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 22 Knights | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| No. 18 Green Wave | 10 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 45 |
at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
* Date: December 3, 2022
* Game time: 3:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 75 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 30,118
* Referee: Hank Johns
* TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), and Tom Luginbill (sideline)
| Statistics | UCF | TUL |
| First downs | 23 | 20 |
| Total yards | 410 | 648 |
| Rushes/yards | 48–145 | 31–254 |
| Passing yards | 265 | 394 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–48–0 | 20–33–1 |
| Time of possession | 34:21 | 25:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 21/39, 209 yards, TD |
| UCF | Rushing | Isaiah Bowser | 20 carries, 85 yards, TD |
| UCF | Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 20/39, 394 yards, 4 TD, INT |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 22 carries, 199 yards, TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Duece Watts | 3 receptions, 134 yards, TD |

### vs No. 10 USC (Cotton Bowl)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Green Wave | 0 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 46 |
| No. 10 Trojans | 7 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 45 |
at AT&T Stadium • Arlington, TX
* Date: January 2, 2023
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Indoor
* Game attendance: 55,329
* Referee: Steve Marlowe
* TV announcers (ESPN/ESPN Deportes): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Robert Griffin III (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline)/Javier Trejo Garay (play-by-play) and Ramiro Pruneda (analyst)
| Statistics | TUL | USC |
| First downs | 16 | 29 |
| Total yards | 539 | 594 |
| Rushes/yards | 34–305 | 32–132 |
| Passing yards | 234 | 462 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 8–18–0 | 37–52–1 |
| Time of possession | 20:11 | 39:49 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 8/17, 234 yards, 2 TD |
| Tulane | Rushing | Tyjae Spears | 17 carries, 205 yards, 4 TD |
| Tulane | Receiving | Jha'Quan Jackson | 1 reception, 87 yards, TD |
| USC | Passing | Caleb Williams | 37/52, 462 yards, 5 TD, INT |
| USC | Rushing | Raleek Brown | 6 carries, 61 yards, TD |
| USC | Receiving | Brenden Rice | 6 receptions, 174 yards, 2 TD |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 9 |
| Coaches | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | 25 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 9 |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 16 | Not released |