What Is 1938 Tulane Green Wave football

Overview

The 1938 Tulane Green Wave football team competed as a member of the Southern Conference during the 1938 college football season. Led by head coach Red Dawson in his fifth year, the team achieved a 6–4 overall record, marking a modest improvement from previous seasons.

The Green Wave played their home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, a venue that would later become iconic in college football history. Despite not winning a conference title, the team showed flashes of offensive strength and defensive resilience throughout the season.

• Final record: The team finished with a 6–4 overall record, including four conference games and six total wins.
• Head coach: Red Dawson led the program for the fifth consecutive season, building on a foundation of regional competitiveness.
• Conference affiliation: Tulane competed in the Southern Conference, a major collegiate athletic conference at the time.
• Home venue: All home games were held at Tulane Stadium, which had a capacity of over 30,000 spectators.
• Scoring performance: The Green Wave scored 147 points while allowing 103, indicating a positive point differential.

Season Performance

The 1938 campaign featured a balanced mix of wins and losses, with notable performances against regional rivals. The team opened the season with promise but faced challenges in maintaining consistency against stronger opponents.

• Season opener: Tulane defeated Mississippi College 26–0, showcasing early offensive dominance.
• Key victory: A 14–7 win over in-state rival LSU highlighted the team’s ability to compete in high-pressure games.
• Conference play: The Green Wave went 3–2 in Southern Conference matchups, finishing mid-table.
• Defensive effort: Allowed only 103 total points across 10 games, averaging 10.3 per game.
• Offensive output: Scored 147 points, averaging 14.7 points per game, led by a strong backfield.
• Season finale: Closed with a 13–6 loss to Vanderbilt, ending the year on a narrow defeat.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 1938 Green Wave stacked up against other seasons in program history:

This table illustrates that while the 1938 season was not among Tulane’s most successful, it continued a pattern of competitiveness under Dawson. Compared to the dominant 1934 and 1929 teams, the 1938 squad was less dominant but still showed resilience. The win over LSU remained a highlight, preserving a key rivalry tradition. The team’s mid-tier finish reflected the challenges of Southern Conference play during that era, where parity was increasing. Despite missing a bowl game, the season contributed to Tulane’s growing football reputation in the South.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season is a snapshot of Tulane football during a transitional period in college athletics, offering insight into the program’s evolution.

• Historical continuity: The season maintained Tulane’s presence in top-tier Southern football despite not achieving national prominence.
• Rivalry significance: The victory over LSU preserved an important in-state rivalry that continues today.
• Stadium legacy: Games at Tulane Stadium contributed to the venue’s growing reputation as a football landmark.
• Coaching tenure: Red Dawson’s leadership through the late 1930s helped stabilize the program after earlier successes.
• Recruiting base: The team relied heavily on Louisiana talent, reinforcing regional recruitment strategies.
• Pre-WWII context: Played just before global events reshaped college sports, making it a pre-war benchmark.

Understanding the 1938 Tulane Green Wave season helps contextualize the broader trajectory of the program. While not a championship year, it reflects the competitive spirit and regional importance of Tulane football in the era.