Tulane (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA) stretched its losing streak to four games on Saturday with a 35-10 loss to Louisiana State, and heads into Houston looking for revenge.
Tulane head coach Bob Toledo said his team lacked momentum, but not effort, in an uphill climb against the Tigers.
"I can’t fault the effort of our football team Saturday night," Toledo said in a press conference Tuesday. "I thought we played as hard as we possibly could play."
Tulane looks to show that same effort against Houston on Saturday as it re-enters conference play despite being plagued by injuries. Over the course of the season, Tulane has watched players fall, including six in its loss to Army.
"Right now it’s gotten tough; we’ve lost about14 or 15 players," Toledo said. "Again, it’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact. Last year we played 12 games without a bye and didn’t have this many injuries, so we’re struggling a bit."
Among those injured are freshman running back Albert Williams, junior running back Andre Anderson, senior defensive end Reggie Scott and junior wide receiver Jeremy Williams.
"We could travel 70 guys in this conference," Toledo said. "I’ve only got 60 to travel, and two of these guys are questionable or doubtful…. We can’t even get 70 guys to travel right now."
Jeremy Williams was a crucial piece of the Green Wave offense, recording 437 yards and five touchdowns on the season. A broken hand requiring surgery and possible damage to his left knee could bench Williams for four weeks or longer.
Toledo said the absence of those athletes makes the task of winning football games difficult.
"We just don’t have enough quality depth right now," Toledo said.
The Green Wave’s thin bench was on display against LSU as the Tigers held Tulane to 163 yards of total offense.
"It’s the least amount of yards we’ve had offensively since I’ve been here," Toledo said.
Tulane held LSU to one touchdown in the first quarter and kept LSU off the board for most of the second quarter, but the Green Wave relinquished two touchdowns within the final three minutes of the first half, including one when LSU defenders stripped freshman quarterback Joe Kemp and returned the loose ball for a touchdown.
The Green Wave’s position did not improve after the half. Tulane attempted to open the quarter with an onside kick that resulted in a quick Tiger score, and a Green Wave stalled drive and missed 31-yard field goal attempt on ensuing drives would deprive Tulane of the chance to shrink its deficit.
"We were struggling moving the football. And basically, they physically dominated both lines at the line of scrimmage," Toledo said.
Although Tulane gave up 330 yards in Saturday’s contest, Toledo recognized his team’s fight, which the Green Wave hopes will yield better results against Houston.
"Again, I’m proud of our football team. We went down there and played as hard as we possibly could play," he said.
