Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tulane

[Deegeezy]

How often do you play Notre Dame?

I want USC to beat them, but I also want your strength of schedule to remain pristine. It seems like you play the game of the week every Saturday. The schedule really doesn't let up.

Good luck and good work.

(BTW, did not know the Manny Fresh thing had come to fruition in real life)

This will be game 3 of a four year contract we "signed" with Notre Dame years ago. What has happened since signing that contract is the Fighting Irish have had some of the best recruiting classes in the nation each of the past 3 or 4 seasons, including a couple of #1 classes. At the time we signed the deal, we had no idea they'd be this good.

Same thing has seem to have happened with TCU. Trust me, this tough schedule was not intentional, but I can't say that I am disappointed that it has happened this way.

Huge win over the Gators! TT has put this team on his back lately and has to be a Heisman candidate. Moving up to #3 in the polls is huge! I can't believe the Saints actually brought in Mannie Fresh! It really is like they have been following this dynasty lol.

Yeah Tony put his team on his back in this one. This was really a classic performance from several players, on both sides. Sadly, as you'll see in a moment though, the heavy workload came with a price.

It is absolutely incredible that Mannie Fresh ended up DJ'ing a Saints game. I literally wrote that story about Mannie two months ago, and suddenly he's performing at the dome during a football game; amazing parallel there!

[Deegeezy]

Green Wave News Clips

Factoring in Tulane's bye week, Tompkins' injury will cause him to miss at least the next two games.

Tulane | Report: RB Tompkins to miss time
Thu, 09 Oct 2025 07:10:01 -0700

report courtesy Erin Andrews, FOX Sports

Erin Andrews of FOX Sports reports that RB Tony Tompkins has suffered a "Grade 1 pectoral tear" and will miss "multiple games," according to a source familiar with the situation whose identity we all already know.

According to Andrews' "source" and on-again/off-again fling, the Heisman candidate running back complained of severe soreness in the days following the Green Wave's 27-22 win at Florida last week. After the soreness never went away, Tompkins visited team doctors and had an MRI, which revealed the slight tear, which is expected to keep him out for "at least the next two games."

Tompkins, a senior, has 597 yards and 8 touchdowns on 68 carries so far this season and was recently named on ESPN's Heisman Watch List. His injury is a devastating blow for the Green Wave as they prepare for a crucial clash with #4 Notre Dame next weekend following this week's bye. The team hopes Tompkins, with proper treatment, can return for the team's game versus Alabama on November 1st.

The injury is just the latest for Tompkins, who missed the final five games of last season due to a shoulder issue and has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries throughout his career.

True freshman RB Anthony Brown (78 ovr) and sophomore RB Michael Brown Jr. (77 ovr), who are first cousins, are expected to pick up the slack in Tompkins' absence, as will sophomore FB J.J. Williams (82 ovr).

Editor's Note: So the above story is my in-universe explanation as to what has occurred here. However, I'd like to point out to readers that I actually did not learn of this injury until days after my game with Florida when going through and putting some cold weather gear on my players ahead of the Notre Dame game. The injury had to have occurred at some point during our final offensive possession versus the Gators, and I was given no notification, I guess since it had occurred so late in the game. Sucks.

___________________________

FS Jesse Burnette

Tulane | FS Burnette chooses Ohio St.
Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:03:09 -0700

report courtesy Eve Jewell, TulaneInsider.com

Eve Jewell of TulaneInsider reports that New Jersey 4-star FS Jesse Burnette (6-1, 204, 4.32 40-time, #8 rated FS) has committed to Ohio St. One of the top players on Tulane's recruiting board, Burnette visited with the Green Wave during its week 2 matchup with the Buckeyes at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Pleasantville, New Jersey native runs a 4.32 40-yard dash and would have added much-needed speed to the back end of the Green Wave secondary, but instead he will take his talents to Columbus.

___________________________

Click here to view 2025 Tulane Green Wave Roster

[SilverBullet19]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Just read the Florida recap. It seems the weather played a big role at the end of the game, a slick ball is tough to hang onto. Sometimes you just need that lucky break.

Its a rather unlucky break with Tompkins though, "next man up" for Brown and Brown lol

[ChosenOne58]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Nice win, sucks about the injury though. Ground game was nice with the bad weather.

You're making me wanna break out NCAA man!

[itsbigmike]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Injuries putting a damper on a nice, hard fought win. Tough to lose T2 for a few weeks, but injuries are nothing new to this team that's for sure.

Also love Mannie Fresh wearing number 69 during that DJ performance haha.

[Deegeezy]

Just read the Florida recap. It seems the weather played a big role at the end of the game, a slick ball is tough to hang onto. Sometimes you just need that lucky break.

Its a rather unlucky break with Tompkins though, "next man up" for Brown and Brown lol

You're right about the weather. I actually didn't think about it at the time and now wish I had made it a point of emphasis in the story. Oh well. Thankfully, it was them that made the fatal mistake and not us.

I am hoping the committee backfield can offset the loss of Tompkins. We already know Mike Brown Jr. can catch passes. The question is can Anthony Brown and fullback J.J. Williams pick up the slack in the running game.

We are really going to need them to with our date at surging Notre Dame coming up.

Nice win, sucks about the injury though. Ground game was nice with the bad weather.

You're making me wanna break out NCAA man!

Haha...yeah this game never gets old. It is always college football season in the Geezy household!

The replay-ability of this game is remarkable. The every-evolving storyline and fresh crop of recruits each year really keeps this game fresh. It's a timeless classic.

Injuries putting a damper on a nice, hard fought win. Tough to lose T2 for a few weeks, but injuries are nothing new to this team that's for sure.

Also love Mannie Fresh wearing number 69 during that DJ performance haha.

No question about it, the Tompkins injury was a big blow. That said, it felt realistic. I really gave him too many carries (25), and now we must pay for it. I told myself before the season that I would not overuse him, and now my greed has proven costly.

And yes, it was no shock that that's the number Mannie would pick. It was a pretty cool jersey, and it even had "Fresh" on the back of it. The guy is such a local legend and I am glad he was able to be added to this New Orleans fantasy story in some way.

[Deegeezy]

Week 7: Around the NCAA (Tulane bye week)

Notre Dame QB George Hardin connects with WR Chad Harris for two late touchdowns in thrilling 35-27 win versus USC at South Bend

Hardin throws for 396 yards and 5 touchdowns and Harris finishes with 11 catches for 111 yards as Fighting Irish remains unbeaten | #8 Oklahoma gets late touchdown pass from QB Jake Harris to TE Bryan Campbell, survives scare in 24-17 win at unranked Kansas | #16 LSU unable to convert late two point conversion gamble, falls to #14 Florida 20-19 in final seconds at Death Valley | "Playoff-like atmosphere" expected in next week's tilt between #3 Tulane and #2 Notre Dame

Scores/Standings - through week 7

2025 NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	Alabama (32)	6	0	1496
2	4	Notre Dame (24)	6	0	1456
3	3	Tulane (1)	5	0	1431
4	5	Georgia Tech (1)	5	0	1195
5	8	Oklahoma (2)	5	0	1059
6	6	TCU (1)	6	0	1048
7	7	Boise St.	5	0	990
8	2	USC	4	1	922
9	11	Texas A&M	5	0	915
10	9	Oregon	3	1	856
11	15	Florida St.	6	0	762
12	12	Ohio St.	5	1	753
13	13	Southern Miss	6	0	740
14	14	Florida	4	2	700
15	18	Navy	5	0	585
16	10	UCLA	5	1	557
17	17	West Virginia	4	2	536
18	21	Troy	4	1	506
19	19	Penn St.	4	2	464
20	20	Missouri	4	1	438
21	16	LSU	4	2	371
22	23	Michigan St.	5	1	338
23	24	Texas	3	3	283
24	NR	Arkansas	5	1	278
25	25	Michigan	2	3	245

Others receiving votes - Rutgers (240), Hawaii (188), Central Michigan (179), Auburn (139), Fresno St. (110), Wisconsin (26), Cincinnati (2)

Notable Week 7 Scores

BYE:
#3 Tulane (5-0)

#8 Oklahoma (5-0) -- 24
Kansas (2-3) -- 17

#5 Georgia Tech (5-0) -- 35
Duke (4-2) -- 6

#10 UCLA (5-1) -- 19
#21 Troy (4-1) -- 31

#14 Florida (4-2) -- 20
#16 LSU (4-2) -- 19

Utah (3-2) -- 13
#7 Boise St. (5-0) -- 36

#22 Auburn (4-2) -- 17
Arkansas (5-1) -- 31

UCF (2-4) -- 0
#13 Southern Miss (6-0) -- 13

#2 USC (4-1) -- 27
#4 Notre Dame (6-0) -- 35

#1 Alabama (6-0) -- 58
Ole Miss (2-3) -- 0

#6 TCU (6-0) -- 37
Colorado St. (5-2) -- 7


Notable Week 8 Games

#3 Tulane (5-0)
#2 Notre Dame (6-0)

#13 Southern Miss (6-0)
UAB (4-2)

#19 Penn St. (4-2)
#25 Michigan (2-3)

Wyoming (0-6)
#7 Boise St. (5-0)

Baylor (3-3)
Oklahoma (5-0)

#9 Texas A&M (5-0)
Kansas St. (0-5)

BYU (2-3)
#6 TCU (6-0)

Temple (4-1)
#15 Navy (5-0)

Tennessee (3-3)
Alabama (6-0)

#4 Georgia Tech (5-0)
Miami (4-2)

#10 Oregon (3-1)
Washington St. (1-5)

__________________________________________________





Scores/Standings - through week 7

SEC East Division Standings
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
#14 Florida	4-2	.660	3-2	168	82	W1
South Carolina	4-2	.660	2-2	189	84	W2
Georgia	4-2	.660	2-2	174	144	W3
Tennessee	3-3	.500	1-3	176	159	W1
Vanderbilt	2-3	.400	1-3	82	116	L2
Kentucky	2-3	.400	0-2	95	161	L3

SEC West Division Standings
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
#1 Alabama	6-0	1.000	4-0	263	79	W6
#3 Tulane	5-0	1.000	4-0	184	119	W5
#24 Arkansas	5-1	.830	2-1	192	123	W3
#21 LSU	4-2	.660	2-2	166	92	L1
Auburn	4-2	.660	1-2	219	116	L1
Ole Miss	2-3	.400	0-3	108	144	L2

Week 7 SEC Scoreboard

BYE:
#3 Tulane (5-0)

#22 Auburn (4-2) -- 17
Arkansas (5-1) -- 31

#14 Florida (4-2) -- 20
#16 LSU (4-2) -- 19

Georgia (4-2) -- 38
Vanderbilt (2-3) -- 9

#1 Alabama (6-0) -- 58
Ole Miss (2-3) -- 0


Week 8 SEC Schedule

Vanderbilt (2-3)
South Carolina (4-2)

Auburn (4-2)
#21 LSU (4-2)

#24 Arkansas (5-1)
Georgia (4-2)

Tennessee (3-3)
#1 Alabama (6-0)

Kentucky (2-3)
Ole Miss (2-3)


-

[nofx94]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Helluva win for ND. Gotcha hyped, I'm sure

[Deegeezy]

Helluva win for ND. Gotcha hyped, I'm sure

Yeah I was a bit relieved. A Notre Dame loss certainly would have taken a lot of luster off of this matchup.

#3 versus #2 - it doesn't get much bigger than that!

[Deegeezy]

Game 6, Year 16 Preview (2025 season): #3 Tulane Green Wave at #2 Notre Dame Fighting

GAME 6 PREVIEW

Courtesy








Latest Line (courtesy Bovada - Las Vegas):


....................8 1/2....................





2024: Tulane then-junior RB Tony Tompkins had the game of his life, scoring on touchdown runs of 80, 85, and 77 yards on the way to a career-high 337 rushing yards on only 18 carries.

Last Meeting: Last season, RB Tony Tompkins continued where he left off the previous year versus the Notre Dame defense, this time gashing them for a career-high 337 rushing yards on only 18 carries to lead #10 Tulane to a 59-34 win over the 12th ranked Fighting Irish. Tompkins scored touchdowns from 80, 85, and 77 yards, all in the third quarter, as the Wave turned a 24-17 halftime lead into a blowout while improving their record to 3-0 on the year.

2023: LEFT: RB Eric Banks' 8-yard touchdown run last season gave Notre Dame a 30-25 lead with just 4:11 to go in the fourth quarter. | RIGHT: Fighting Irish CB Josh Reid stepped in front of former Green Wave WR Rashaad Hicks-Walker to knock away a pass at the goal line on the game's final play for the win.

Last Meeting at Venue: Two seasons ago, in a torrential downpour at South Bend, then-#17 Notre Dame got a goal line stop on the final play of regulation to come away with a 30-25 victory over then-#12 Tulane. The loss for the Green Wave gave them an 0-2 record for the first time since the 2010 season, head coach D. Geezy's first year in New Orleans. Despite trailing the majority the game, the Green Wave was able to rally to take a 25-24 lead with 4:11 to go, but an 8-yard touchdown run by then-freshman RB Eric Banks gave the Irish the lead for good. Despite the loss, the Wave got a big help from RB Tony Tompkins, who finished the game with a career-high 182 rushing yards along with 2 touchdowns in what many call the then-sophomore's "coming out party."

Starting Lineups/Key Players:





* - IMPACT player

Click here to view 2025 Tulane Green Wave Roster





Injuries:


:

5-RB Tony Tompkins (jr) - 82 ovr: strained pectroal, out 2 to 3 weeks



:

None




Schedules/Results:

.

[BV28]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Wow, Hardin with 22 TD and 1 INT on the season...
It will be hard to stop that.

[Cheese2121]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

First off the presentation and pictures from the Florida game are just top notch. Great shots as always my friend. A thrilling victory but a bit of a sour note to leave it on with Tompkins going down, especially coming into one the biggest games of the season. At least he should be back in time for the eventual showdown with Deuce and the Tide.

Notre Dame is reaping the benefits of all those recruiting classes and appears to be quite the juggernaut. Any thoughts of extending that contract with them? Although I think if I remember you are booked pretty far out.

I remember the recruiting classes and I have seen the numbers but my gosh seeing that stacked Irish squad is still just incredible. They really have no weaknesses unless you could maybe argue the tight end and heck he isn't even that bad. I think you really are going to want to lean on the ground and clock control in this one. Getting into a shootout with these guys....ehh...

Can't wait to see how this one turns out! Good luck my friend! Loving this as always!

[ThatBritishGuy]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

The schedule is always filled with big games in the SEC, but this game looks one for the ages vs the Irish and a real statement for either program! Hardin's stats on the season are insane but haven't' quite played the schedule you have to date.

Looking forward to seeing how this one plays out, oh and.....Beat the Irish!!!

[Bigsheen]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy: Our City, Our Team | Part II - The Golden Age of Tul

Man, ND's offense is good but that defense....yikes. Although, like others have said, Hardin having a 22/1 TD to INT ratio is absurd. Has to be in the Heisman Race. This will be an interesting one. Good luck

[Deegeezy]

Wow, Hardin with 22 TD and 1 INT on the season...
It will be hard to stop that.

He really is on a torrid pace. We've had great success against him these past two seasons though. Right now, through two games versus Hardin, the Green Wave so far has allowed no touchdowns and has caught 5 interceptions. In fact, here is an odd stat - through four games versus Notre Dame in this dynasty, no Fighting Irish QB has completed a touchdown pass against us (0 touchdowns, 9 interceptions). :::knocks on wood:::

That trend will need to continue if we're to come away with a W in this one.

If we let that spread no huddle offense of theirs get off to a fast start though, we could find ourselves in some trouble. The no huddle offenses in this game are tough to stop if they get early momentum.

First off the presentation and pictures from the Florida game are just top notch. Great shots as always my friend. A thrilling victory but a bit of a sour note to leave it on with Tompkins going down, especially coming into one the biggest games of the season. At least he should be back in time for the eventual showdown with Deuce and the Tide.

Notre Dame is reaping the benefits of all those recruiting classes and appears to be quite the juggernaut. Any thoughts of extending that contract with them? Although I think if I remember you are booked pretty far out.

I remember the recruiting classes and I have seen the numbers but my gosh seeing that stacked Irish squad is still just incredible. They really have no weaknesses unless you could maybe argue the tight end and heck he isn't even that bad. I think you really are going to want to lean on the ground and clock control in this one. Getting into a shootout with these guys....ehh...

Can't wait to see how this one turns out! Good luck my friend! Loving this as always!

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures as always. It's really one of my favorite parts of doing these game reports.

I am indeed booked up for next season but have one slot remaining for 2027 and two for 2028 (future schedules below).

I do still have one more date with the Fighting Irish next season though. I don't want to commit to one team for too long, since I only essentially have 3 out of conference openings each year (rival Southern Miss being the annual mainstay). This game has so many great teams and stadiums to play in, and I'd like to get a taste of them all.

It's funny you say that about leaning on the ground game, because I was actually thinking the opposite. I like my matchups versus their secondary. I am going to strive for balance, but I do plan to come out with 5-wide and attack their young corners early, especially the nickel back/safety Doug McKnight (a player we recruited very hard as a safety a couple of seasons ago BTW). I think we can get some advantages in the short passing game with Michel Brown Jr. and pass to set up the ground and pound with RB Anthony Brown and FB J.J. Williams later.

My thinking would probably be different if Tompkins was available though. Hopefully he is back for Bama, even if it is only in a limited capacity.

Appreciate the reply as always brother! Words can't express enough just how great it is to have you back on the forum.

Tulane Future Out-of-Conference Schedules

2026: Notre Dame, @ Ohio St., Southern Miss, @ UCLA

2027: Oklahoma, @ Southern Miss, UCLA (1 remaining opening)

2028: @ Oklahoma, Southern Miss (2 remaining openings)

The schedule is always filled with big games in the SEC, but this game looks one for the ages vs the Irish and a real statement for either program! Hardin's stats on the season are insane but haven't' quite played the schedule you have to date.

Looking forward to seeing how this one plays out, oh and.....Beat the Irish!!!

Our schedule surely has us battle tested, but I would say that despite the poor schedule overall, Notre Dame showed us just how legit they were by knocking off an excellent USC team last week. If we can force a couple of turnovers and play good, mistake-free football, I think we have a very good shot of coming out of South Bend with a win.

This matchup is going to be amazing. This truly feels like a playoff game and our top season goal (winning a national title) is on the line.

Man, ND's offense is good but that defense....yikes. Although, like others have said, Hardin having a 22/1 TD to INT ratio is absurd. Has to be in the Heisman Race. This will be an interesting one. Good luck

They look really good on paper. This is one of those games where strategy will have to trump talent. They're clearly the superior team on paper, which means we will have to win by playing one of the best games of the season while also limiting mistakes and turnovers. We'll also need them to cough the ball up a time or two.

Hardin is indeed in the Heisman mix. If he keeps this up, he will be a shoe-in favorite.

Thanks fellas...time to get it on with the Irish!