Tulane University Football team avoids Isaac, ready to return for Saturday

August 29, 2012 7:00 AM Roger Dunaway [email protected]

The opening week of the 2012 season has been anything but ordinary for the Tulane football team. Instead of beginning classes and preparing for Rutgers, its first opponent of the season, on the friendly confines of the Tulane practice field, the Green Wave packed up following Monday morning's practice (Aug. 29) and relocated to Birmingham, Ala., in an effort to escape Hurricane Isaac.

Under sunny skies in Birmingham, Ala., at Samford University, the football team practices for Saturday's (Sept. 1) home opening game against Rutgers. (Photo from Tulane athletics)

It's déjà vu all over again for the Green Wave. Tulane will practice for the third straight day on Thursday (Aug 30) at Seibert Stadium on the campus of Samford University prior to its season opener on Saturday (Sept. 1) in .

If this sounds familiar, Tulane is following in its same footsteps as it did in 2008 when the Wave was forced to evacuate New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Gustav. The Wave also made Birmingham its temporary headquarters and practiced at Samford Stadium prior to its season opener against Alabama that year.

“Despite all the obstacles this week, I think the team has done a great job of keeping its focus on its preparation for Rutgers and preparing themselves to win,” Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson said. “We have been able to practice every day and fine-tune our game plan.

“I am very appreciative to Samford University and its administration for allowing us to use their facilities.”

The team plans to bus back to New Orleans on Friday.

Tulane University | New Orleans | 504-865-5210 | [email protected] Tulane University The Green Wave will begin its first season under Johnson at home in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this Saturday in a nationally televised game on the CBS College Network against the Scarlet Knights at 7 p.m.

Tickets to the game can be purchased in person at the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office, over the phone at 504-861-WAVE (9283) or via the Internet at www.TulaneGreenWave.com.

Roger Dunaway is assistant athletics director for athletics communication.

Tulane University | New Orleans | 504-865-5210 | [email protected]