What Is 2017 Tulane Green Wave football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7-6 overall record under head coach Willie Fritz. They played their home games at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans and earned a berth in the Cure Bowl, where they lost to Louisiana-Lafayette 38-3.

Key Facts

Finished the 2017 season with a 7-6 overall record
Played in the Cure Bowl on December 16, 2017
Head coach Willie Fritz led the team in his second season
Averaged 28.5 points per game during the regular season
Home games were played at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans

Overview

The 2017 Tulane Green Wave football team competed in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. It marked the second season under head coach Willie Fritz, who continued rebuilding the program after taking over in 2015.

The team showed marked improvement from the previous year, posting a winning record and earning a bowl berth. Their performance reflected growing competitiveness within the AAC’s West Division, despite challenges against top-tier conference opponents.

Record: The Green Wave finished the season with a 7-6 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
Head Coach: Willie Fritz entered his second year at the helm, implementing a fast-paced offensive scheme that boosted scoring output.
Bowl Game: Tulane played in the 2017 Cure Bowl on December 16, losing 38-3 to the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.
Stadium: All home games were held at Yulman Stadium, a 30,000-seat venue on Tulane’s campus in Uptown New Orleans.
Key Player: Quarterback Tanner Lee was drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft but transferred before the season; junior D’Angelo Yancey became a primary offensive leader.

Season Performance

The 2017 campaign featured a mix of close wins and tough losses, highlighting the team’s development under Fritz’s leadership. Tulane opened the season with a win over Grambling State and later defeated Army and SMU in conference play.

Offense: Averaged 28.5 points per game, a significant improvement from the previous season’s 21.3 average.
Defense: Allowed 28.8 points per game, struggling at times against high-powered AAC offenses like UCF and Houston.
Key Win: A 38-34 victory over Army in October showcased the team’s resilience and offensive firepower.
Turnovers: Committed 23 turnovers on the season, with 15 interceptions thrown by three different quarterbacks.
Rushing Game: Amare Jones led the team with 543 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 127 carries.
Receiving Leader: Jalen McCleskey recorded 48 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of Tulane’s 2017 season versus the previous year and key conference rivals:

Team	2017 Record	Points For	Points Against	Bowl Result
Tulane Green Wave	7-6	371 (28.5 avg)	374 (28.8 avg)	Lost Cure Bowl 38-3
Tulane 2016	3-9	276 (21.3 avg)	415 (31.9 avg)	No bowl
UCF Knights	13-0	531 (40.8 avg)	251 (19.3 avg)	Won Peach Bowl
Memphis Tigers	10-3	486 (37.4 avg)	328 (25.2 avg)	Won Birmingham Bowl
SMU Mustangs	5-7	335 (25.8 avg)	372 (28.6 avg)	No bowl

The data shows Tulane’s clear progress from 2016 to 2017, both in wins and offensive production. While still behind powerhouses like UCF, the Green Wave closed the gap with mid-tier AAC teams. Their defensive struggles remained evident, but the Cure Bowl appearance marked a milestone in program resurgence.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a turning point in Tulane’s football revival, signaling a shift from perennial underdog to competitive AAC participant. It laid the foundation for future success, including a 10-win season in 2018.

Program Growth: The bowl appearance was Tulane’s first since 2013, reigniting fan interest and campus engagement.
Recruiting Boost: Improved performance helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes.
Conference Credibility: Competing closely with teams like SMU and Memphis enhanced Tulane’s standing in the AAC.
Stadium Culture: Yulman Stadium continued to develop into a vibrant game-day environment, averaging over 25,000 fans per home game.
Player Development: The season highlighted the effectiveness of Fritz’s developmental system, especially for quarterbacks and skill players.
Future Outlook: The 2017 season directly preceded back-to-back bowl appearances in 2018 and 2019, cementing progress.

Ultimately, the 2017 Tulane Green Wave football team represented a critical step forward, demonstrating that sustained success was possible with consistent coaching and institutional support.