There's a two-word term for the ragged, erratic display Tulane had at Tad Gormley Stadium on Saturday morning.

Spring game.

It's seldom pretty when a thin team conducts a scrimmage three weeks into spring practice, and this was no exception. With numerous players sitting out due to injuries, Tulane ran 80 plays counting the regular portion and the red zone work in its first outdoor practice of the spring after spending the first two-and-half weeks at the Saints' indoor facility.

Heralded transfer Nick Montana bounced a couple of passes early on a cold, crisp morning. Devin Powell failed to produce a touchdown after the offense had a first-and-goal at the 1. Cairo Santos even missed a field goal.

By the end of the practice, though, the Green Wave had plenty to be excited about entering the last week of spring drills.

Montana rebounded from his slow start to lead a 13-play, 65-yard touchdown drive, capping it off with a 4-yard pass to Justyn Shackelford after rolling out right the same way his dad did before hitting Dwight Clark for The Catch, the winning touchdown in the 1981 NFC Championship Game.

Montana, who also ran for a 2-yards score in the red zone portion, finished 8 of 14 for 78 yards.

"I've started in the last practice or so to pick up more of a comfort level," Montana said. "When I hear the play, I know it now and am not thinking too much. It's slowing down a little bit, and that's helping me pick it up a little bit more."



...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial