The Tulane Green Wave finished last season with a 2-10 record. So, it was only fitting for them to finish off the biggest turnaround in FBS history with the unlikeliest of comeback wins.
The Green Wave overcame a late 15-point deficit to defeat 10th-ranked USC in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. But it was the final drive that had the college football world going wild.
Tulane was able to get right back in the game after a quick touchdown, a botched USC return (leading to a safety) and then a gutsy go-ahead touchdown drive led by quarterback Michael Pratt. And because nothing about this game was simple, the winning touchdown was initially ruled incomplete despite the official’s excellent view of the play.
Tulane takes down USC in the Cotton Bowl in a thriller 😱
The game-winning touchdown pass from Michael Pratt to Alex Bauman was originally ruled incomplete before being overturned after review.pic.twitter.com/7ywXHdcTXy
— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 2, 2023
Here’s another look at Alex Bauman’s catch with the ball never hitting the turf.
Tulane pulled it off!pic.twitter.com/XXBVOtc6cC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 2, 2023
Tulane coach Willie Fritz was almost at a loss for words after the game, and we can’t blame him. As easy as it would have been for Tulane to buckle once USC pulled ahead, the Green Wave didn’t give up. They gave fans one of the more memorable games of a crazy bowl season in the process.
This was how Twitter reacted
Lincoln Riley: “Can we stop Tulane?”
USC defense: pic.twitter.com/PdTavR1ug2
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 2, 2023
The style points for Tulane here are huge. Beat the Big 12 champ. Beat the teams leaving the AAC. Beat the just-crowned Heisman winner and USC. That was a big boy season.
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 2, 2023
What a phenomenal game and a phenomenal win for this Tulane program. One of the season’s best stories.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 2, 2023
Imagine if this was a playoff game. In 2024, it will be … https://t.co/U5dyrQEVLM
— Rob Brodie (@Post_Brodie) January 2, 2023
Shades of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl… An incredible comeback, and a well-earned win from a scrappy team that could! #CottonBowl #RollWave https://t.co/KB2XwUBtz8
— Adam Wolfe (@Adam_Wolfe) January 2, 2023
That ref was so damn certain it hit the ground and was incomplete lmao https://t.co/zBsh6Y0zpi
— 💚Nicole Pinter❤️ (@nicole_pinter6) January 2, 2023
Tulane comes back from 15 points down in the final five minutes and beats USC in the Cotton Bowl, finishes 11-2, greatest single season turnaround in college football history. What a sport.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 2, 2023
Caleb Williams knew usc defense was gonna let Tulane score with 1 minute left in the game 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zmFzaLxWGF
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) January 2, 2023
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) January 2, 2023
What a game.
