OSM{Tulane} 27, SMU 26

First, Tulane struggled through a couple of weeks against in-state rivals Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette.  At home against Monroe, the Green Wave lost 63-10.  They were outgained 553 yards to 151, thanks in large part to a team total of -9 yards rushing.  The next week in Lafayette, they lost 41-13, and were outgained 444 yards to 226.   In these two games combined QB D.J. Ponder was just 35 for 83 (42.2%) and of his 333 yards, 71 came on one pass.  He threw 5 interceptions, and he also rushed 5 times for -36 yards. 

Ponder was only playing in these games because starter Ryan Griffin was out with a shoulder injury.  Griffin returned today against SMU, going 17 of 32 for 302 yards, and his 31- and 79-yard touchdown passes led the Green Wave to a 20-3 halftime lead.    However, in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs began to rally.  A touchdown and then another touchdown gave SMU a 23-30, and then a field goal with 1:22 remaining but Tulane up against the wall.  Undaunted , Griffin quickly led Tulane down the field and fired a 16-yard touchdown strike to Robert Kelley with 0:35 seconds left.  Cairo Santos's extra point gave Tulane a 27-26 victory! 

The SMU Mustangs trotted back to DFW wearing the Original Shame Mask.