North Texas’ head coach Eric Morris walked into the postgame interview room knowing Tulane had held his high-powered offense to just three points across the final two and a half quarters.
“Our formula for that was the formula for losing,” he said. “We have done that twice this year and those are games we were not able to capture the win. Turnovers and then red zone chances were really the keys to their success and our failures. We have been so efficient in the red zone all year long. We were only two of four in this game.”
He also made a point to highlight the group that responded best when the game tightened.
“I am really proud of the way our defense came back and fought in the second half,” Morris said. “They scored three points in the second half and in the fourth quarter. The other seven points was a pick six for the offense. Gave them a gimme.”
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North Texas opened the night with a crisp, 15-play touchdown drive. After that, Tulane’s front controlled the line of scrimmage and the momentum shifted for good on a second-quarter muffed punt.
“Just not good,” Morris said. “Our returner was trying to go get the ball. He got hit at some point. Our guys have to get out of the way. Our gunner was way too far down there. Those are mistakes you cannot afford to happen. I thought that was a catastrophic play for our football program.”
Even so, Morris kept perspective following the 34-21 defeat. He spoke about his players and the season that led them to this stage.
“I am so proud of these kids and what they have been able to accomplish,” he said. “We have created so many memories. These are relationships they will have for the rest of their lives. They need to be proud of themselves. Still have a bowl game to play. The elusive bowl game in North Texas that we need to go find a way to win.”
Then came the question tied to the moment: how does a coach process a championship game knowing his next job at Oklahoma State is already in place?
“This game today was no different than any other one,” Morris said. “I have been committed to this team every step along the way…Sad because this place has meant so much to me and my family and really proud at the same time. Proud of what we have been able to accomplish and how we have been able to accomplish it. And you know I'm really happy for these players in the locker room to be a part of this journey.”
North Texas now turns its focus toward bowl preparation. For Morris, the night was about more than the final score. It was an acknowledgment of the work the players and staff put in to reach the conference’s biggest stage.
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