40 years ago on this night (1986): Wichita State's final road win in the 90-year history of the football program .. the Shockers defeated Tulane 21-20 at the Superdome in New Orleans; attendance 24,481 .. WSU, a strong underdog going into the matchup, snapped a three-game losing streak, improving to 2-3 on the season. Wichita State's only game ever vs. the Green Wave.
After the game, Tulane's second-year head coach Mack Brown said, "I feel like the guy in the javelin competition who won the toss and elected to receive."
Wichtia State & Tulane were borh Independents that season (not in a conference).
WSU third-string tailback David Smith rushed for 160 yards & a pair of second-half touchdowns, on 34 carries; the junior-college transfer had been playing in the shadow of Wichita State star running back Valasco Smith, who came into the game as the nation's 4th-leading rusher, and #2 in the nation in scoring. Smith said the WSU offensive line opened up huge holes in the Tulane defensive front. He said the most he'd ever carried the ball in junior college was 11 times in one game.
Wichita State's other touchdown came in the fourth quarter, on a 53-yard pass from quarterback Brian MacDonald to wide receiver Anthony Hardy.
The Shockers were down 10-0 at halftime, but ralled for the win, holding Tulane scoreless in the fourth quarter. WSU won the game despite getting flagged for 10 penalties, and punting eight times.
