NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane football team (4-4, 2-2 American) tied the game with just 10 seconds remaining and won in overtime by a 38-31 margin against Charlotte (1-7, 1-3 American) on Friday night, Oct. 30, at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
The team trailed by a touchdown with just 1:52 remaining in the game and then calmly moved down the field and tied the game at 31-all on Cameron Roberts' 11-yard touchdown reception to finish off an eight play, 61-yard drive.
The team, after losing the overtime coin toss, received the ball and scored the eventual go-ahead touchdown as backup quarterback Dagan Bruno plunged in on a sneak on 4th and goal from the half-yard line . The team's defense bent but didn't break as it thwarted a fourth-down pass in the end zone to preserve the thrilling victory.
Tulane scored first, 7-0, as Johnnie Daniels ran it from the two to finish off a 15 play, 92-yard with 5:14 remaining in the opening quarter. The drive was the longest of the season for Tulane.
After a Tulane turnover early in the second quarter, Charlotte scored on the ensuing drive to tie the game at seven on the 44-yard run from Khamani Alexander at the 10:12 mark of the second quarter.
The second Tulane turnover in as many touches, this one a fumble on a kickoff, quickly led to Charlotte taking the lead on Aiden Bui's 48-yard field with 8:39 remaining in the first half.
Tulane took the lead right back as TJ Smith returned the kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown with 8:26 left until the break. The kickoff touchdown was the 12th longest in school history.
The 49ers took the lead back, 17-14, on the ensuing series on the Connor Harrell to Jaden Barnes 22-yard touchdown pass with 4:01 left in the opening half.
Charlotte added another touchdown, 24-14, before the break as Harrell connected with Derrick Eley on an 18-yard pitch-and-catch with 49 seconds remaining in the half in what would be the halftime score after a missed Tulane field goal attempt.
Tulane drew within a field goal, 24-21, with 5:19 remaining in the third on the second two-yard rushing touchdown of the game for Daniels.
The 49ers again made it a two-score game, 31-21, as Eley ran it in on an end around on fourth down at the goal line with 10:52 left.
Tulane cut the deficit to one score, 31-24, on Cooper Helmke's 27-yard field goal with 6:29 left in the fourth to set help up the thrilling ending.
Offense:Trace Johnson went 28-for-36 for 284 yards and a touchdown. Johnnie Daniels ran 13 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Dagan Bruno had the go-ahead rushing touchdown in overtime. Cameron Roberts caught the tying touchdown at the end of regulation. Destyn Hill totaled six catches for 51 yards. Anthony Brown-Stephens picked up five catches for 49 yards. .
Defense:Dickson Agu led the team with 14 tackles. Kevin Adams III recorded 10 stops. Jack Tcheinchou and Makai Williams tallied six tackles. Williams, Dalton Hughes and Warren Roberts Jr. all recorded sacks in the game.
Special Teams:Cooper Helmke was successful on one of two field goals plus all his extra points. TJ Smith returned a kick for a 95-yard touchdown and averaged 63 yards a return. Macho Stevenson recorded a field goal block.
Team: Tulane outgained the 49ers 467 to 455, including a 284 to 239 advantage through the air.
Next, Tulane returns home to host Tulsa (4-4, 1-3 American) on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. in its Homecoming game.
