Tulane Scores 16 Late Points, Beats USC 46–45 in Cotton Bowl

Tulane Scores 16 Late Points, Beats USC 46–45 in Cotton Bowl
Head coach Willie Fritz of the Tulane Green Wave celebrates with players Dorian Williams (2) of the Tulane Green Wave and Tyjae Spears (22) following the teams win against the USC Trojans in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 2, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
The Associated Press
Updated:

ARLINGTON, Texas—Tulane tight end Alex Bauman caught a 6-yard touchdown from Michael Pratt with 9 seconds left to cap a frantic finish by the 14th-ranked Green Wave in a 46–45 win over Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and No. 8 Southern California in the Cotton Bowl on Monday, Jan. 2.

Bauman’s contested catch, with linebacker Eric Gentry draped over him, was initially ruled an incompletion, but a replay review showed the ball never touched the ground as the players rolled over in the end zone. The Green Wave scored 16 points in the final 4:07, the game-winning touchdown coming after they got the ball back following a safety.