What Is 2007 Tulane Green Wave football

Overview

The 2007 Tulane Green Wave football season marked the final year under head coach Chris Scelfo, who had led the program since 1997. The team represented Tulane University in the NCAA Division I FBS football season and competed as a member of Conference USA in the West Division.

Playing their home games at the historic Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the Green Wave struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 4–8 overall record and a 3–5 mark in conference play. Despite the losing record, the season provided transitional momentum as the program prepared for a coaching change and eventual improvements in later years.

• Record: The team finished with a 4–8 overall record, their worst since 2003, highlighting struggles on both offense and defense.
• Conference play: In Conference USA, Tulane went 3–5, placing fourth in the West Division behind stronger programs like UCF and Houston.
• Scoring: The Green Wave scored 216 total points across 12 games, averaging 18.0 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the conference.
• Defensive performance: They allowed 332 total points, averaging 27.7 points per game, indicating significant challenges on the defensive side.
• Final season: This was the last season for head coach Chris Scelfo, who was replaced by Bob Toledo after seven years at the helm.

Performance & Season Details

The 2007 campaign was defined by missed opportunities and close losses, with several games decided by a touchdown or less. Despite a solid senior class and moments of offensive promise, the team failed to build consistent momentum.

• September 1, 2007: Tulane opened the season with a 37–14 loss to Mississippi State in a non-conference road game.
• Home field: The Green Wave played at the Louisiana Superdome, a neutral site not on campus, which impacted fan engagement and home-field advantage.
• Best win: A 27–24 overtime victory against UTEP in October gave fans a rare highlight in an otherwise tough season.
• Quarterback play: Quarterback Chris Simpson started most games, throwing for 1,707 yards and 10 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
• Rushing leader: Running back Quentin Dobbins led the ground game with 527 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 139 carries.
• Season finale: The year ended with a 34–17 loss to Southern Miss, sealing a losing record and fourth-place finish in the division.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2007 season to the previous and following years reveals a program in transition, with performance fluctuating around the .500 mark.

The table shows that 2007 was consistent with a broader trend of underperformance from 2005 to 2009. While offensive output dipped slightly, the defense regressed notably in 2007, allowing the most points in that five-year span. The continuity in records suggests systemic challenges rather than a single-season anomaly.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season is significant as a turning point in Tulane football history, marking the end of the Scelfo era and setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts. Though not a successful season on paper, it contributed to long-term program evolution.

• The departure of Chris Scelfo opened the door for new leadership, eventually leading to the hiring of Bob Toledo and later success under Willie Fritz.
• Playing at the Superdome highlighted logistical and cultural challenges in building a consistent fan base away from campus.
• The team's struggles underscored the need for improved recruiting, particularly in talent-rich Louisiana and the Gulf South region.
• Close losses in 2007 demonstrated that the team was competitive, suggesting that minor improvements could yield better results.
• The season emphasized the importance of stability in coaching and program direction, which Tulane would later achieve.
• Ultimately, 2007 served as a low point before gradual improvement, culminating in a 2013 Conference USA Championship and a 2018 New Year’s Six bowl appearance.

While the 2007 Tulane Green Wave did not achieve on-field success, it played a quiet but critical role in the program's long-term trajectory, serving as a catalyst for future change and eventual resurgence.