What Is 2014 Tulane Green Wave football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Curtis Johnson. They played their home games at Yulman Stadium, their new on-campus venue after relocating from the Superdome.

Key Facts

2014 Tulane Green Wave finished with a 7–6 overall record
Curtis Johnson was head coach from 2012 to 2015
Team played first season at Yulman Stadium, capacity 30,000
Conference record was 5–3 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Lost 3–37 to Louisiana Tech in the 2014 New Orleans Bowl

Overview

The 2014 Tulane Green Wave football season marked a pivotal year for the program, as it was the first season playing home games at the newly constructed Yulman Stadium on Tulane’s Uptown campus. After decades of playing at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the move to a smaller, on-campus venue symbolized a renewed focus on student engagement and football culture.

This season also represented progress under head coach Curtis Johnson, who was in his third year leading the team. The Green Wave posted a winning record for the first time since 2002, finishing 7–6 overall and 5–3 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), showing marked improvement from previous seasons.

First game at Yulman Stadium: The Green Wave played their inaugural game at the 30,000-seat Yulman Stadium on September 6, 2014, defeating Georgia Tech 17–14 in a major upset.
Season record: The team finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, earning a berth in the New Orleans Bowl, their first bowl appearance since 2002.
Head coach: Curtis Johnson led the team from 2012 to 2015, and the 2014 season was his most successful, with seven wins.
Conference affiliation: Competing in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), Tulane finished third in the West Division with a 5–3 conference record.
Bowl game: The Green Wave faced Louisiana Tech in the 2014 New Orleans Bowl on December 20, losing 3–37 in a disappointing finish.

Season Performance

The 2014 campaign featured a mix of promising wins and tough losses, highlighting both the team’s growth and areas needing improvement. Quarterback Nick Montana started most games, throwing for 2,277 yards and 11 touchdowns, while the defense struggled at times, allowing an average of 29.5 points per game.

Offensive stats: The Green Wave averaged 25.8 points and 372.3 yards per game, with a balanced attack led by running back Orleans Darkwa.
Defensive struggles: Tulane allowed 29.5 points per game, ranking near the bottom of FBS defenses, particularly against the pass.
Key win: The 17–14 victory over Georgia Tech on September 6 was a program-defining moment, marking the first win over an ACC team since 1989.
Home-field advantage: Playing at Yulman Stadium boosted attendance and student involvement, with average home crowds around 25,000.
Season-ending loss: The 3–37 defeat to Louisiana Tech in the New Orleans Bowl exposed gaps in depth and execution under pressure.
Player development: Several underclassmen gained experience, setting the foundation for future seasons under Johnson and later coaches.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2014 season to recent years highlights both progress and persistent challenges:

Season	Overall Record	AAC Record	Bowl Result	Home Venue
2012	7–6	5–3 (C-USA)	Lost Hawaii Bowl	Mercedes-Benz Superdome
2013	7–6	5–3 (AAC)	Lost New Orleans Bowl	Superdome
2014	7–6	5–3 (AAC)	Lost New Orleans Bowl 3–37	Yulman Stadium
2015	3–9	1–7 (AAC)	No bowl	Yulman Stadium
2016	3–9	1–7 (AAC)	No bowl	Yulman Stadium

The 2014 season mirrored the 2012 and 2013 records but differed in context—this was the first year at Yulman Stadium, which brought increased visibility and campus excitement. Despite similar win totals, the program regressed in 2015 and 2016, leading to Johnson’s dismissal. The 2014 season thus stands as a high point of his tenure.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season is remembered as a transitional year that combined on-field competitiveness with symbolic changes in infrastructure and identity. While the bowl loss was a setback, the move to Yulman Stadium laid the groundwork for long-term program growth.

Facility impact: Yulman Stadium created a more intimate, college-football atmosphere, boosting student attendance and school spirit.
Recruiting boost: The new stadium and winning season helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent years.
Conference stability: As a founding AAC member, Tulane’s 2014 performance helped solidify its place in a competitive post-BCS conference.
Player legacy: Senior leaders like Orleans Darkwa and Cairo Santos left lasting impacts, with Santos later becoming an NFL kicker.
Program trajectory: The 2014 season was the last winning year under Johnson, making it a benchmark for future rebuilds.
Historical significance: It marked the end of an era at the Superdome and the beginning of a new chapter in Tulane football history.

Ultimately, the 2014 Tulane Green Wave season represents a moment of promise and transition—where improved performance met modernization, setting the stage for future developments despite subsequent setbacks.