This game marks the season opener for the Green Wave.
Last season, Tulane relied heavily on tailback Matt Forte, who rushed for over 2,000 yards, and he is now running for the NFL's Chicago Bears. Green Wave fans will now pin their hopes on junior Andre Anderson, who takes over for Forte. The 6-0, 210-pound Anderson has only 32 career carries to his credit, but he has been impressive in practice and is expected to be the workhorse in 2008.
If Anderson can be a consistent ground gainer, sophomore quarterback Kevin Moore will be able to operate with less pressure. The 6-5, 213-pound Moore has a strong arm and got some valuable experience last season, completing 30-of-54 tosses for 432 yards and a pair of scores. Wide receiver is an area of strength for the team, as it returns four of its top five pass catchers. Junior Jeremy Williams highlights the group, as he broke through to lead Tulane with 46 catches, 773 yards and five touchdowns last season.
New Tulane defensive coordinator O'Neill Gilbert hopes that his seven returning starters will provide stability. Generating pressure figures to be a strength of this defense with the return of senior Reggie Scott and junior Adam Kwentua. The 6-4, 258-pound Scott was finally healthy for a full season in 2007 and he showed a glimpse of his potential by recording 27 tackles, nine TFLs and four sacks. As for the 6-3, 259-pound Kwentua, he made five TFLs and four sacks in his first season of extensive action and could be primed for a break through in 2008. Kwentua does have a back injury but is expected to play through the pain.
The linebacking corps is the strength of the this unit, and Evan Lee is the best of the bunch. The 6-1, 224-pound senior led Tulane with 99 tackles a season ago and he is explosive and a big hitter that makes everyone around him that much better. In the secondary, Tulane returns a pair of starters from a unit that is looking to do better than the 288 passing ypg it surrendered in 2007.
Full Story @ seattlepi.nwsource.com
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