Tulane 11-0? You’d Better Believe It

NEW ORLEANS —  Tulane finished its first undefeated and untied regular season since 1931 with a 63-30 victory over Louisiana Tech on Thursday night, and even Coach Tommy Bowden was surprised by his team’s climb from a 7-4 record last season.

“I would not have written an 11-0 script,” Bowden said. “A lot of guys coach a long time and never go 11-0 in a career, especially at Tulane.”

Tulane fans chanted “Stay, Tommy Stay” during the fourth quarter. Bowden is scheduled to meet with Clemson officials today about the Tigers’ head coaching vacancy.

Tulane, the Conference USA champion, will play Brigham Young (9-3) in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on New Year’s Eve.

Shaun King completed 19 of 26 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for a touchdown. He became the first player in NCAA Division I-A to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in an 11-game season.

Toney Converse had 182 yards in 24 carries and tied a school record by running for four touchdowns.

For Louisiana Tech (6-6), Tim Rattay completed 37 of 57 passes for 471 yards and two touchdowns. Troy Edwards had 15 receptions for 167 yards to become the NCAA all-divisions single-season record holder for receiving yards (1,995).