What We Learned

Championship-game experience and the motivation of miserable losses matter. Tulane was the calmer, organized team in the first half on Friday night, jumping out to a 24-7 halftime lead against North Texas, which was making its first appearance in the American title matchup. The Green Wave rattled Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker, the nation’s leading passer, sacking him four times in quick succession, leading to two interceptions in the third quarter. When North Texas finally found its footing at the end of the third quarter, the Wave, which was hell bent on stopping a streak of two championship game losses, had a 31-7 lead that was too big to overcome.

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Playoff time. It will not be official until Sunday, but Tulane clinched its first-ever playoff berth

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