Tulane University’s head football coach Will Hall expressed his disappointment following his team's 17-3 loss to Duke, a game marred by penalties and missed opportunities. In his post-game remarks, Hall highlighted the team’s struggles, particularly the 15 penalties that plagued their performance, many of which occurred at crucial moments.
Hall noted that the penalties included two significant pass interference calls that disrupted defensive drives. "We were in position, and we just panicked," he stated, emphasizing the need for improvement in this area. He also pointed to offensive penalties that negated promising plays, such as a holding call on a run by Johnnie Daniels that had the potential to score inside the red zone and an illegal chop block during a critical completion from Kadin Semonza to Bredell Richardson.
Despite the challenges, Hall acknowledged Duke's solid performance, crediting their execution and discipline on the field. He remarked, "It was a sloppy football game, and they played way less sloppy than we did. So credit to them." The Tulane head coach expressed disappointment in his team's ability to control the game, particularly in light of the talent they have shown in previous matches.
Looking forward, Hall emphasized that the issues faced during the game are fixable. He stated, "Most of it can be fixed, but it’s got to be fixed on Monday." He reassured fans that the coaching staff would address the offensive problems and work to improve execution ahead of their next matchup.
When discussing the critical pass interference call in the fourth quarter, Hall reiterated its impact on the game, acknowledging that poor tackling contributed to the team's struggles. He noted that while the defense improved after the first drive, they still needed to perform better to get off the field and give the offense more opportunities.
In a strategic move, Hall switched quarterbacks at halftime, bringing in Caden who he felt provided a spark that was missing from Zion. "Caden played really well from the jump," Hall said, praising his pocket movement and timely throws. However, despite some positive plays, the team still faced setbacks due to fumbles and penalties.
Reflecting on Duke's early success in converting third downs, Hall recognized that the defense needed to tackle better and asserted that the players would take responsibility for their performance. He expressed confidence that the team could regroup and improve, stating, "When we’re ourselves, we can play really good defense." The coach concluded by stressing the importance of addressing these issues immediately, as the team prepares for the upcoming challenges in the season.
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