Sports

Tulane heading to first bowl since 2002, meeting Louisiana-Lafayette in New Orleans Bowl

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Tulane running back Rob Kelley (28) is stopped for a loss by Rice safety Paul Porras (24) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Rice Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Smiley N. Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

Tulane running back Rob Kelley (28) fumbles as he is hit by Rice cornerback Bryce Callahan (29) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Rice Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in Houston. Rice recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Smiley N. Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

Tulane has accepted an invitation to play against Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl.

The Green Wave's confirmation of the bowl bid Tuesday marks the program's first chance to play a postseason game since the Hawaii Bowl in 2002.

Tulane had 10 straight losing seasons before second-year coach Curtis Johnson led the Green Wave to a 7-5 record this season.

Tulane was in contention to win Conference USA's West Division until falling 17-13 at division-winner Rice on Saturday.

Louisiana-Lafayette, which accepted its bowl bid after losing to Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night, has won the past two New Orleans Bowls.

The game is played in the Superdome, which has been Tulane's home field since 1975.

However, Tulane is slated to open a new on-campus stadium next season.