Tulane aesthetically looked different, repping brand new “City Edition” uniforms for the first time, paying homage to its New Orleans heritage. But on the field, Tulane looked exactly like the team that won 26 of its previous 29 conference matchups, disposing of Florida Atlantic 35-24 in front of the eighth full capacity crowd in Yulman Stadium history.
The Green Wave established a 14-3 lead on the opening play of the second quarter as Jake Retzlaff found Bryce Bohanon on a 29-yard heave to the end
zone, as Bohanon delayed his route out of a trips formation to catch Florida Atlantic’s defense out of sorts. Florida Atlantic briefly responded with its own touchdown, but Tulane reestablished an 11-point lead later in the frame as Retzlaff hit tight end Anthony Miller Jr. on a corner route for his first collegiate touchdown reception.
From that point onward, the Green Wave never relinquished a double-digit advantage.
Florida Atlantic, which entered the contest ranked bottom five in the FBS in giveaways, was marred by its recurring turnover issues. The Owls lost the turnover battle 4-1 on the road, and the signs were evident from the opening drive. Caden Veltkamp’s end zone shot for Don Henry was ricocheted off the body of E’zaiah Shine and intercepted by the high safety Bailey Despanie, marking the second interception by the Tulane defense since the end of September. Moments later, FAU muffed a punt and Tulane recovered 14 yards short of the end zone, allowing the Green Wave to craft an early 7-0 lead.
The Green Wave gained additional separation in the second and third quarters on a 4-drive sequence where Florida Atlantic failed two fourth downs and tossed a pair of interceptions — one off a deflection to Jahiem Johnson and another on a diving grab by Isaiah Wadsworth. Picks aside, the Owls moved the ball exceptionally well as Caden Veltkamp recorded 375 passing yards and two touchdowns on 57 attempts, marking his season-high for an offense that throws more than anyone else in the country. FAU out-gained Tulane by nearly 70 yards, but the turnovers proved too costly to overcome in a raucous road environment.
Tulane’s offense unlocked a new gear as it registered its second-highest point total of the year at 35. The Green Wave unlocked a new No. 1 running back in redshirt freshman Jamauri McClure, who become the first running back to eclipse 90 rushing yards this season for Tulane in a 10-carry, 94-yard showing. McClure showcased a tough, physical running style, punching in a well-earned 8-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to claim the game’s first three-score lead at 28-10.
Retzlaff didn’t provide his usual impact as a runner, attaining a season-low one yard on seven attempts — only hampered by one sack. However, the quarterback more so demonstrated his arm talent for the second-consecutive week, firing for 241 yards and two touchdowns on a 66.7 completion rate.
Florida Atlantic (4-6, 3-4 American) is pushed to the brink of missing a bowl game for the fifth-straight season. In order to qualify in year one of the Zach Kittley era, the Owls must pull off upsets over UConn and East Carolina in the following two Saturdays.
Tulane (8-2, 5-1 American) recorded its fourth-straight 8-win season and now the Green Wave eye a fourth-straight American Championship Game appearance. It’s a crowded race with several teams owning just one conference loss, including North Texas, Navy, and East Carolina. The American largely relies on the College Football Playoff rankings to settle its tiebreakers, so Tulane’s control of its destiny remains in the hands of another entity. But the best solution to an unclear conference title race is to simply win, and the Green Wave conclude the year as favorites against 5-5 Temple and 1-9 Charlotte.
