NEW ORLEANS — The Tulane football program finds itself on the verge of winning 20 games over the course of back-to-back seasons for the first time in team history.
But breaking yet another record during head coach Willie Fritz's seven-year tenure at Tulane is not a motivating factor when it comes to defeating American Athletic Conference rival, East Carolina, on Saturday.
" I think when you get in the middle of it, you're just worried about your upcoming opponent and playing well," Fritz told media following practice inside Yulman Stadium in New Orleans on Tuesday. "We haven't played a great game this season, I don't think ... and in order for us to play the best we are capable of playing, we have to prepare for East Carolina. As I said before, they have a lot of good players there. They are a good team."
Over the last three games – all wins – Tulane has struggled in the second half. It's a trend Fritz feels needs to end if the Wave have any hopes of competing for a second-consecutive New Year's Six bowl game after defeating No. 10 Southern Cal and 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams in the Cotton Bowl earlier this year.
"Coming in the second half, the last three games I think we've been outscored 42-14 in the third quarter," he explained. "So, we are looking at doing some things differently coming out at halftime ... and we've got to improve. You know, we haven't played a great game this season, I don't think.
The Wave, who are 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the AAC, struggled in the second half in victories against Memphis, North Texas and most recently Rice, in which Tulane held off the Owls to win, 30-28.
"Bits and pieces I think we played really well.. We just got to work on us. Prove and get better on offense, defense, kicking game. There's been sometimes I've looked out there and say, 'wow, we got a chance to play pretty darn good' and some other times where we better fight, scratch and claw to get the outcome we want."
No. 21 Tulane travels to Greenville, N.C., to play East Carolina on Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.
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