MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / August 18, 1999

NEW ORLEANS – A 12-game starter as a true freshman, helping the Tulane Green Wave to a 12-0 record and No. 7 national ranking. An all-freshmanselection by both the Football News and Conference USA.

Impressive statistics for anyone let alone a freshman. But for Tulane rightguard Corey Sewell, he feels he could have done even better.

“It wasn’t as good a season as I thought it would be according to my expectations,” Sewell, who prepped at East St. John, said. “But to start, go12 games and get my feet wet in college, it was a pretty good experience.

“I made a lot of mistakes last year. That’s something I need to correct.Sometimes I was really confused. I know what I can do and sometimes Ididn’t do it. That’s something I have to work on this year. It was a goodseason last year but it wasn’t up to my expectations. I know what I cando.”Sewell, an all-district, River Parishes and Metro selection his senior year at East St. John did not expect to start so soon, figuring he would be abackup his first year with the Green Wave.

“Actually they had scheduled me to redshirt but I was shooting for second team,” Sewell said. “And through academics and injuries, I was able tostart and made the most of the opportunity.”The 6-foot-2, 256-pound guard had his best game in the Green Wave’s 49- 35 victory at Army, receiving a 78 percent grade on 80 snaps. Two weeksearlier, he recorded a 76 percent grade against Southwestern Louisiana, helping the Green Wave produce their highest point total in 61 years and the second highest yardage output in team history in a 72-20 victory.

The Army win made Tulane 9-0, building pressure on the Green Wave to keep the unbeaten streak alive.

“Everybody was gunning for us,” Sewell said. “Every game the stakes gothigher and the pressure built more because there was a fear of losing. Wedidn’t want to lose. Every game magnified itself. I think that what kept usgoing and winning like we did was because we didn’t want to lose.”Tulane would go on to capture the Conference USA title, its first conference championship since 1949. The Green Wave advanced to theLiberty Bowl where they defeated Brigham Young, capping the undefeated season.

“It was unbelievable really,” Sewell said of winning the C-USA title. “Itwas nice to win it, but it feels like we kind of got gypped in the bill. Itwasn’t enough. We wanted more. We weren’t satisfied. That’s why we aregoing out this year and trying to get more.”That more was a shot at the national championship. Despite joiningnational champion Tennessee as the only undefeated teams in the country, the Green Wave were left on the outside looking in on the bowl coalition picture.

“We still believe we should have gotten a shot,” Sewell said. “We thoughtwe were the best team in the country but were never given a shot. No onewill ever know now.”But Sewell said that is all behind the team now as it (See SEWELL, Page 2C) heads into the 1999 season.

“We have to because last season is last season,” Sewell said. “This is anew season, tougher schedule, better teams. We have to have our minds onthis season. Last year, we did our thing and now we have to move onbecause they are gunning for us now.

“We can’t go in there with the mentality that they will lie down in front of us. We have to play better than we did better if we want to go 12-0again.”The offensive line will be a major factor in determining whether the Green Wave can duplicate their success of 1998. Sewell, tackle BernardRobertson, center Kapua Conley and guard Jerry Godfrey started every game for the Green Wave last year and return for this season. TackleCharles Caldwell, a starter two years ago before missing last season because of academics, returns as well.

“Offensive line is going to decide the game,” Sewell said. “We have fourstarters come back with experience and the other guy has been there a while too. This where it all starts. We have a young quarterback we haveto protect and running backs we have to block for.”Two quarterbacks, Patrick Ramsey and Derrick Joseph, are battling to step in for the departed Shaun King who set a number of school records during his career. The two offer contrasting styles with Joseph similar to Kingwith his roll-out ability while Ramsey is more a pocket passer.

“I’m going to block for whoever plays back there,” Sewell said. “Butwhoever plays back there is going to have to step up and do the job because we are going to the job for him.”With Caldwell coming back, Sewell has been moved from left tackle to right guard during the spring. Sewell said the move went well and that hehad a good spring practice.

“It wasn’t much of a transition, just a little tighter space.” Sewell said.”All in all I did well. I’ve just got to get some of my blocking down plusI’m going against a lot stronger guys now so I have to work on my strength too. It was a good spring.”Sewell was selected to the all-Conference USA team by The Sporting News in its college football preview. He would like to add all-conferencehonors at year’s end as well as allowing no sacks during the season.

As for the team, Sewell said the goal is to exceed last year’s success.

“We want to get back in the top 25 again, top 10 if we can, Sewell said.

“We want to be ranked higher than No. 7 last year and if possible, get morenational recognition and a possible shot at the national championship and of course, go undefeated again.” But Sewell said he realizes it will not be an easy road. Tulane faces atougher schedule with games at Southern Mississippi, Syracuse and Mississippi. Plus, unlike in past seasons, nobody will be taken the GreenWave lightly this time around.

“We have to work harder than last year, less mistakes, be focused and believe in ourselves,” Sewell said.

“We are not sneaking up on anybody this year. Everybody knows what weare capable of. Everybody knows about us. They know what to expect andare going to prepare for us because we are the top dogs now. They arecoming after us now to take our ring and our championship.”

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