2002 Statistics

written by Rich Thomaselli

This is where Tulane stays in games or wins the shootouts, with an offense that is blessed with the return of some terrific skill position players and one that didn't suffer dramatic losses on the line, although that remains a concern.

Senior RB Moore is the best returning all-purpose back in college football. In fact, Moore has more rushing and receiving yards (3,860) in the last two seasons than any other returning player in the nation. He has a quarterback's vision of the field, able to see and analyze defenses with a thought process that seemingly comes in nanoseconds, and then he has the physical attributes to execute what he wants to do. "He excels at everything he puts his mind to," Scelfo said.

Does that include a Heisman Trophy? Well, it's certainly a longshot. You know the drill - small school, little press coverage, no major television appearances, and a buzz that will have to be built in the first month of the season rather than have preceded his senior year. Still, Moore should be on the long list at the beginning of September. His partner in crime, FB Kris Coleman, opens huge holes.

Moore isn't Tulane's only weapon. Losman was thrown in at quarterback and told to learn the ropes as a full-time starter. He responded with an eight-win season that included 2,468 yards passing, a 57.4% completion percentage, 19 TDs and 10 INTs. Losman is a big kid (6-3, 215) that NFL scouts are in love with. He'll surely play at the next level.

And he'll have a plethora of options to throw to. While Moore is Losman's most prolific returning receiver in terms of balls caught, WRs Tristan Smith, Nick Dunn, Chris Bush, Nick Narcisse and TE Bobby Hoover are all back. But the biggest return might be WR Roydell Williams, who fractured his ankle in the third game of the season against East Carolina and missed the remainder of the year. But Williams, who did not participate in spring ball, was granted a medical hardship and returns as a junior. He gives Losman yet another target to work with. Suffice to say, the receiving corps is not a question mark for Tulane, although Scelfo wants to see them do more after the catch.

Half of the line will be a question mark, however. Losman's blind side is fortunately protected by the return of LT Chris McGee and LG Matt Traina. Jimmy Kosienski, a 6-7, 280-pound junior, will anchor the right side at RT. But Tulane will be breaking in a new C in Will Blaylock or Joe Traina, both sophomores, and at RG with Donald Madlock, also a sophomore. Making matters worse, both Blaylock and Madlock had their progress hindered this spring with nagging injuries. The good news, however, is that no matter who ends up in these two positions it's likely, because of Losman's passing and Moore's ability to run outside, opposing defenses won't be able to flood the box. That should help in grooming a new center and right guard.

RB Mewelde Moore (Tulane Athletics Media Relations)

written by Rich Thomaselli

It's the worst of times and the worst of times for the Green Wave defense.

You figure a weak pass rush can be overcome by blanket coverage in the secondary. Conversely, problems with the defensive backs can be disguised by constant pressure up front.

Unfortunately for Tulane, it starts the season with neither. All four starting defensive linemen and all four starters in the secondary are gone, and while a strong set of returning linebackers known for quick reads and recognition, they'll need help.

But, there's a reason why Alabama's Mike Price pursued Tulane defensive coordinator Schumann so heavily when Price first got the job he eventually lost without ever coaching a game. Schumann, in his first season at Tulane in 2002, not only created a defense that led the nation in forced turnovers, but one that gave up 21.7 points per game - almost 20 less than the previous year. So expect Schumann to come up with a few wrinkles to cover the Green Wave's lack of experience on the line and in the defensive backfield.

Start up front, where true linebacker Daniel Nevin moves to defensive end. At 6-1, 220, Nevin doesn't have the size of his predecessors but certainly has the speed. And that's what Schumann is looking for, someone at rush end to get into the backfield and create a bit of havoc. Nevin will have a bit of a clone on the opposite side in 6-3, 245-pound sophomore Michael Roberts, whom Scelfo praised for having a solid spring. In between, Tulane will have some beef in tackles Terrence Tarver and Wallace Mateen. Despite losing all four starters last year, the defensive line wasn't exactly a great run-stopping unit as it gave up 180.1 yards rushing per game. That was only good for 93rd out of 117 Division I-A teams. Perhaps Schumann will find a surprise in a totally rebuilt line.

All three starting linebackers - strongside 'backer Wesley Heath, MLB Brandt Quick (and he is), and Anthony Cannon - return. Cannon is a stud, a sophomore who led the team in tackles and was first in the conference and second in the nation in tackles by a true freshman. Though he operates from the weak side, that's in name only. Cannon can change a game. As a unit, all three have the ability to overcome the mistakes of those in front of them, a key attribute for a defense breaking in four new starters on the line. An added boost is the return of Brandon Spincer, an all-conference freshman performer in 2001 who sat out last year due to academic reasons.

Said Scelfo coming out of spring ball, "Our strength on defense has got to be our linebackers. We've got some experience coming back there. We've got some guys that can run. We've increased our speed, and the leadership has to come from that group."

The most opportunistic defense in the country was led by a secondary that produced 23 interceptions, fourth best in the nation. But 19 of those 23 picks left with the players who left the program. Still, the cupboard is not entirely bare. The four INTs that do return come in the person of sophomore Sean Lucas and junior Trawick Boger. Fellow sophomore Bruce Youmans joins Lucas on the corner and junior Joey Dawson is the projected starting free safety. Lucas, Boger and Youmans each played in all 13 games; Dawson played in 12. That experience will come in handy, for the quicker the secondary gels and develops, the quicker the entire defense will come together.

LB Anthony Cannon (Tulane Athletics Media Relations)