Former Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt gives insight into the mindset of the team that won the Cotton Bowl that might prove helpful to this year's Green Wave team in the College Football Playoff.
The Tulane Green Wave seemed dazed and confused in their regular season loss to the Ole Miss Rebels, stunned by their speed, size, and talent, and lacking fight on the sideline that translated onto the field. It wasn’t a must-win game for their season goals. That all changes in the first round of the College Football Playoff this Saturday. They have a chance to accomplish something greater than what was thought to be the pinnacle of success, which was winning the Cotton Bowl.
The Green Wave couldn’t really see the finish line in the September matchup. They perked up in the third quarter and made a defensive stand with a shutout, and an opening 14-play, 70-yard drive on offense – but turned it over on downs. The quarter ended 23-3 and quickly spiraled to 45-10 in the fourth. But they went into it with a slight chance down three scores.
So did the 2022 Tulane team when they entered the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans. They entered it down 35-30, but the deficit quickly became 45-30. With 4:30 remaining, the Green Wave roared with a comeback that may never be matched in utter chaos. Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt had completed four passes for 117 yards all game before the final two drives. He went 4-of-6 for 117 yards and threw the game-winning touchdown.
Anyone who thought the Green Wave had a shot in those final minutes is either lying or was a player on the team. Every one of them believed that they were going to win a conference championship after winning two games the year prior. And they remained steadfast when they were down 16 points with barely any time left. Pratt shared the mentality that Tulane had in those final minutes in Arlington, Tx. that showed them the path to the finish line.
“We kept our foot on the gas the entire game,” Pratt said. “We were down pretty good at half, but we knew what our team was capable of. Our two-minute drill that we worked on every single day – fast ball, we do it every single practice – came in pretty clutch for us there at the end. The last thing I remember was [tackle] Joey Claybrook on that last drive looking at me, saying, ‘We're going to go win this football game right now. We got an opportunity to drive down the field and win the freaking Cotton Bowl right now. One drive. This is our opportunity. Let's go do it.’”
The games paralleled each other in a way. USC had five possessions in the first half; so did Ole Miss. The Trojans scored four touchdowns and threw an interception; the Green Wave punted twice and scored two touchdowns. The Rebels scored two touchdowns and kicked three field goals; Tulane punted three times and kicked a field goal.
They showed signs of fight after half. But it didn’t pack a punch. However, things could have felt much different if they score on two of those punts. Even one touchdown and another field goal make the score 23-13 – and maybe Ole Miss doesn’t get five possessions. It will take much greater execution for a chance at an upset. But it will equally take a mentality of champions.
While there are a few players remaining on the roster from the 2022 season, this year’s team must find that grit themselves. But they can learn a lot from the mindset of the Cotton Bowl champions.
“I think those guys that are there right now have the same mindset,” Pratt said. “I love that we're playing Ole Miss again. We've already played in Oxford. They've got a new head coach. I think we have a great opportunity to go in there and really shock the whole nation.”