Game 1 | Southeastern (0-0) at Tulane (0-0)
Aug. 29, 2024 | 7 p.m. | Yulman Stadium (30,000) | New Orleans, La.
Series History: Tulane leads, 7-0
Last Meeting: Tulane 35, No. 3 Southeastern 20 (9/13/14 – New Orleans, La.)
Television: ESPN+
Radio: Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, The Boss 103.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM
            Announcers: Mark Willoughby, Robbie Mahfouz, Allen Waddell and Robbie Rhodes
 
HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team will officially open the 2024 campaign Thursday, traveling to Tulane for a 7 p.m. contest in Yulman Stadium.
 
The 2024 season opener between the Lions (0-0) and the host Green Wave will air on ESPN+ and the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM). Former Lion quarterback Robbie Mahfouz joins the radio crew for the 2024 season, along with longtime broadcasters Mark Willoughby, Allen Waddell and Robbie Rhodes.
 
Southeastern will be looking to get back on track after a 2023 season that saw the Lions finish 3-8 overall - ending a streak of four consecutive winning seasons. SLU, which was picked third in the Southland Conference preseason poll, won three of its final four games to close a campaign that saw it have the ball in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie or take the lead in all of its losses to FCS competition. Prior to last season, Southeastern had finished ranked in the top 25 each of the previous four seasons and was one of three teams nationally to accomplish that during the span.
 
"We're excited to have our first chance to compete together Thursday night against a great Tulane team," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. "Last season's results have nothing to do with this season. We have a lot of new faces that we're anxious to see how they respond when they're thrown into the fire."
 
Eli Sawyer (109-for-180, 1,405 yards, 6 TD, 5 INT in 2023) is back under center for Southeastern, along with newcomers Tanner Murray and Damon Stewart.
 
Among the top offensive returners for SLU are offensive tackles Jhy Orgeron and Brockhim Wicks, while Darius Lewis (48 catches, 568 yards, 4 TD) and Harlan Dixon (508 rushing yards, 4 TD; 35 catches, 408 yards) are the top returning playmakers.
 
Several newcomers are expected to make an immediate impact on the offensive side. Receivers Brandon Hayes and Errol Rogers, along with running back Antonio Martin Jr. are among those in their first seasons in Hammond and are slated to bolster the Lions' firepower.
 
Coryell Pierce (46 tackles), KK Reno (41), Donte' Daniels (29), Kaleb Proctor (26) and Shemar Pearl (23) are the top returning tacklers on the Lion defense. Defensive linemen Warren Peeples and Kadan Lewis, as well as defensive backs Keydrain Calligan, Talique Allen and Cornelius Dyson are among the newcomers expected to impact SLU's defensive success.
 
On special teams, preseason All-American punt returner Lewis returns after leading the SLC with 13.8 yards per punt return. Riley Callaghan also returns for his third season at placekicker, having made 25-of-35 field goals in his two seasons in Hammond.
 
The Green Wave was picked third in the preseason American Athletic Conference poll last month. First-year head coach Jon Sumrall leads Tulane into the 2024 season.
 
The Green Wave finished last fall with an 11-3 record and their 23 wins over the past two seasons trail only Georgia, Michigan and Washington among FBS teams.
 
Makhi Hughes is the top returning playmaker on offense for Tulane, having rushed for an AAC-leading 1,290 yards and seven touchdowns last fall.
 
Defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins (11.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks) is on the watch list for the Bednarik and Lombardi Awards, as he, Hughes and linebacker Jesus Machado (98 tackles) represented the Green Wave on the HERO Sports preseason All-America teams.
 
"Tulane has a loaded roster and Coach Sumrall will continue the positive momentum that program has enjoyed over the past few years," Scelfo said. "This will be a great challenge for our team."
 
Thursday will also be a homecoming of sorts for Scelfo and his two coordinators – Anthony Scelfo and Bill D'Ottavio. The elder Scelfo was on Tulane's staff from 1996-2006 – including the final eight seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
 
Anthony, who will be making his debut at offensive coordinator at his alma mater, will be returning where he was a two-sport standout in football and baseball. D'Ottavio coached the cornerbacks at Tulane from 2004-06.
 
"To be able to go back will be a great experience," Frank Scelfo stated. "I've been a Tulane fan my whole life. My father-in-law and brother both played there. I coached there and my son played there. We always keep up with the program and are happy for their success."
 
Southeastern will be looking to reverse several trends Thursday. The Lions are 0-7 all-time versus the Green Wave with the last meeting resulting in a 35-20 Tulane win in 2014. Though SLU has won three conference championships and made five FCS playoff appearances since the program has returned in 2003, Southeastern is 0-30 versus FBS opponents in that time frame.
 
Thursday's game will be the first of two versus FBS competition to open the year for the Lions. SLU will head to Hattiesburg, Mississippi Sept.7 for a 6 p.m. game at Southern Miss. The contest against the Golden Eagles will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM).
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.