Green Wave is set up to secure rare bowl berth

[Harry]

A softer schedule and a team aided by junior college players and transfers have produced the desire effect at Tulane University.

The Green Wave can at least ponder a trip to a bowl game for the first time since the Wave won the 2002 Hawaii Bowl.

It would be a significant step, not a giant one, for the Tulane football program.

The Green Wave's strength of schedule, #141 in the latest Sagarin ratings, must at least bring a sense of realism to what is happening uptown. Tulane second-year head coach Curtis Johnson is making solid, incremental progress.

There are numbers to like. Tulane is first in Conference USA in turnover margin, interceptions and kickoff coverage. The Green Wave is 43rd in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense.

Junior college transfer quarterback Nick Montana has done a solid job as Tulane's starter. Montana has thrown nine touchdown passes against only four interceptions.

Junior college transfer defensive end Tyler Gilbert of John Curtis Christian School leads Tulane with 2.5 quarterback sacks. Defensive tackle Chris Davenport, transfer from LSU, has 1.5 quarterback sacks.

For years, Tulane head football coaches have lobbied for at least some help from junior college players. Those players are helping at two of the key spots on any team, quarterback and defensive line.

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