Tampa, FL.- Breaking News: Gators swim through the Green Wave as Tulane and Florida face off in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl.
Tulane (9-4), the American Athletic Conference runner ups, are hoping to get back in the win column after a 35-14 loss in the AAC title game. The Florida Gators (7-5), have been red hot at the tail end of the season, defeating SEC rivals LSU, Ole Miss and in state rival Florida State in consecutive weeks.
Let’s break down our contenders:
Tulane:
The Tulane Green Wave have been one of the heart throbs of college football all season. With the addition of the 12-Team College Football Playoff, many projected Tulane to be in contention for the G-5 auto bid, and the Wave certainly didn’t disappoint. Offensively, Tulane was led by redshirt freshman phenom QB Darian Mensah, who recorded 2,723 yards, and 22 scores, throwing on 66% completion percentage, with his top target, Mario Williams, coming away with 940 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. With that being said, Mensah has recently entered the Transfer Portal, so his status for the game seems highly unlikely, meaning Kai Horton will more then likely get the starting nod.
In the backfield, star sophomore running back Makhi Hughes built off an incredible freshman season by rushing for 1,372 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hughes solidified himself as a feature back in one of the top rushing offenses in the AAC, as Tulane finished the season 3rd in both total scrimmage yards (2,670) and yards per game (205.4 YPG), alongside the highest scoring offense in the conference (37.2 PPG) earning a First-Team All Conference nod.
Defensively, Tulane’s defensive core has proved themselves as one of the top units in the conference. The Green Wave allowed just over 300 yards per game (2nd AAC), and less than 20 PPG (2nd AAC). Senior LB Tyler Grubbs stood out as a true do-it-all guy for the Green Wave, totaling 59 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 Interceptions, 1 Forced Fumble and 1 Defensive Touchdown. This outstanding senior season from Grubbs earned himself Second Team All Conference honors.
Florida:
The Florida Gators turned a lot of heads this season, as many presumed they’d come away with one maybe two win this year. Billy Napier’s squad exceeded expectations tenfold, coming away with seven wins on arguably the hardest schedule in college football. After an unfortunate season ending ACL tear from QB Graham Mertz, the Gators’ found a sign of life from true freshman QB DJ Lagway. Lagway came in for the injured Mertz and sparked life in the Gators’ offense, throwing for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns. Freshman RB Jaden Baugh stepped into the workhorse back role this season, rushing for 603 yards and 7 scores. Defensively, Tyreak Sapp fortified the front seven, recording 43 total tackles, 7 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on the year.
This highly anticipated matchup between the AAC and SEC’s finest will be hosted at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Friday, December 20. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 P.M.
Cover Photo Credits: Tulane Athletics