What Is 1998 Tulane Green Wave football

Overview

The 1998 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season and achieved the most successful season in program history. Under head coach Chris Scelfo, who took over after Gerry DiNardo left for LSU mid-season, the team posted a perfect 12-0 record, becoming the first from a non-BCS conference to finish ranked in the AP Top 10.

Playing in Conference USA, the Green Wave dominated both conference and non-conference opponents, culminating in a Liberty Bowl victory. Their success brought national attention to a program previously overshadowed by larger football powers, and quarterback Shaun King emerged as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

• Perfect record: The team finished 12-0, the only undefeated season in Tulane football history, a feat unmatched before or since.
• Liberty Bowl champions: On December 31, 1998, Tulane defeated Brigham Young 27-13 in Memphis, securing their first major bowl win in decades.
• AP Poll ranking: The Green Wave finished #9 in the final Associated Press Poll, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Conference USA team at the time.
• Quarterback performance:Shaun King threw for 3,406 yards and 32 touchdowns, earning Conference USA Player of the Year honors.
• Historic significance: This season marked the first time a team from a non-BCS conference completed a season undefeated and ranked in the Top 10.

Season Highlights & Key Performances

The 1998 campaign featured a series of dominant performances, with the Green Wave often outscoring opponents by wide margins. Their defense improved significantly under coordinator Rick Minter, and the offense averaged over 35 points per game.

• Early momentum: A 33-24 win over Alabama in September signaled Tulane’s national potential, defeating a traditional power on the road.
• Conference dominance: Tulane went 7-0 in Conference USA play, outscoring conference opponents by an average of 17 points per game.
• Defensive turnaround: The defense allowed only 18.2 points per game, a massive improvement from previous seasons under new leadership.
• King's leadership: Shaun King completed 67% of his passes and had a passer rating of 153.4, among the nation’s best.
• Bowl recognition: The Liberty Bowl appearance was Tulane’s first since 1946, ending a 52-year drought and highlighting the program’s resurgence.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 1998 Tulane Green Wave compared to other top Group of Five teams in modern college football history:

While later teams like Boise State and TCU achieved higher rankings and played in BCS bowls, the 1998 Tulane team was a trailblazer. They proved a non-BCS team could go undefeated and earn national respect, paving the way for future mid-major success stories in the College Football Playoff era.

Why It Matters

The 1998 season remains a landmark moment not just for Tulane, but for college football as a whole. It challenged the perception that only power conference teams could achieve national relevance, inspiring future mid-major programs.

• Program legacy: The undefeated season remains the high point in Tulane football history, elevating the program’s national profile.
• Recruiting boost: Success in 1998 led to improved recruiting, with more four-star prospects considering Tulane in subsequent years.
• Conference USA credibility: The performance helped legitimize Conference USA as a competitive league on the national stage.
• BCS implications: Though not in a BCS bowl, the season contributed to later BCS access rules for non-BCS champions.
• Shaun King’s NFL path: King was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999, becoming a starting QB and Super Bowl champion.
• Cultural impact: The season united New Orleans in celebration, becoming a source of civic pride during a period of rebuilding.

The 1998 Tulane Green Wave demonstrated that excellence isn't confined to traditional powerhouses. Their perfect season remains a benchmark for underdog success in college football history.