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Tulane-Charlotte: keys to victory for the Green Wave | Tulan

Vaseline November 1, 2024

1. BE READY

The potential for disappointment is real for Tulane, which faces its second road game in six days and plays an opponent with a losing record after winning the first against an on-paper more dangerous team. Earlier this week, coach Jon Sumrall told his players that the game would appear on ESPN rather than be relegated to one of the network’s lesser channels after dodgeball or before ping pong. It was a good line, but the Wave need to take it to heart instead of relaxing and expecting a win.

2. PRESS THE QB

Charlotte freshman Deshawn Purdie is raw, but he can throw it. His long ball set up a late, game-winning touchdown against Rice, and another late deep drive allowed the 49ers to nearly upset Memphis on the road. However, those big plays take time to develop. If he is the starter as expected, Tulane’s pass rush could force him to make quicker decisions and check on secondary receivers. That’s not his strength, and so far this year he hasn’t been a running threat. Pressure will lead to negative play.

3. GIVE IT TO HUGHES

This one is good to go every week. Unless Charlotte sells out to cut running back Makhi Hughes, which no one in the AAC has attempted yet, another big day awaits the league’s leading rusher. The 49ers are allowing 184.3 yards rushing per game, which ranks 110th nationally, and are giving up 4.9 yards per carry, which is 111th. Unless Hughes is exhausted from 57 carries in the previous two games, giving him the ball early will often be a winning strategy – again.

4. BE YOURSELF

Sumrall said there wasn’t enough time in a short week to drastically change the game plan anyway, and if Tulane sticks with what’s worked so far, things should work out fine. Charlotte is more dangerous than the record indicates, but the 49ers are still trying to find their footing with 44 transfer additions under second-year coach Biff Poggi – who is tied most closely to Colorado in the FBS. Navy became the fourth team to beat them by 18 or more, with a 51-17 victory less than two weekends ago.