What Is 2000 Tulane Green Wave football team

Overview

The 2000 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. It marked the third full season under head coach Chris Scelfo, who took over the program in 1998 after the departure of Tommy Bowden.

The team struggled to maintain consistency, finishing with a losing record and failing to qualify for a bowl game. Despite improvements in some areas, offensive inefficiency and defensive lapses contributed to a subpar season compared to previous years.

• Record: The Green Wave finished the 2000 season with a 5–6 overall record, their first losing season since 1995.
• Conference play: In Conference USA, Tulane went 3–4, placing them in the middle of the league standings.
• Home stadium: The team played all home games at the Louisiana Superdome, a domed stadium in downtown New Orleans.
• Head coach: Chris Scelfo entered his third year as head coach, compiling a 5–6 record in 2000 for a 13–20 overall mark at that point.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Kwame Cavil started most games, throwing for 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.

Season Performance

The 2000 campaign was marked by inconsistency on both sides of the ball. While Tulane showed flashes of potential, they failed to string together wins and missed postseason play for the second consecutive year.

• Season opener: Tulane defeated Mississippi Valley State 38–10 in their first game, showcasing early offensive strength.
• Key loss: A 24–21 defeat to in-state rival LSU was a turning point, highlighting the team’s struggles against ranked opponents.
• Defensive stats: The defense allowed an average of 27.3 points per game, a significant increase from the previous season.
• Rushing game: Running back Matt Forté (not to be confused with the later NFL player) rushed for 732 yards and six touchdowns.
• Passing attack: Kwame Cavil completed 58.3% of his passes but threw 14 interceptions, indicating inconsistency.
• Special teams: Kicker Seth Marugg made 11 of 16 field goals, providing moderate reliability in scoring situations.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2000 season compared to the two surrounding years in terms of performance and key metrics:

The decline from the dominant 1997 season under Tommy Bowden is evident, as Tulane struggled to maintain momentum after his departure. The 2000 season continued a downward trend in win totals and competitiveness within Conference USA.

Why It Matters

While not a standout season, the 2000 campaign offers insight into the challenges Tulane faced during a transitional era in college football. It underscores the difficulty of sustaining success after a coaching change and amid increasing conference competition.

• Program trajectory: The 2000 season highlighted the difficulty of maintaining success after the departure of high-profile coach Tommy Bowden.
• Recruiting challenges: Tulane struggled to attract top-tier talent compared to power-conference schools, limiting roster depth.
• Stadium impact: Playing at the Superdome provided visibility but lacked the intimate college atmosphere of on-campus stadiums.
• Conference realignment: Conference USA was still establishing itself, affecting Tulane’s national exposure and scheduling strength.
• Development of players: Several 2000 team members, like Cavil, gained experience that helped them grow in subsequent seasons.
• Historical context: The 2000 season is a benchmark for measuring the program’s ups and downs in the early 2000s.

The 2000 Tulane Green Wave season, while forgettable in the win column, remains a piece of the program’s broader narrative of resilience and rebuilding during a challenging period.