The 2020s represent a new era of Green Wave football.
Tulane hadn’t defeated a Big Ten opponent since 1970, but Jon Sumrall’s team walked into its home at Yulman Stadium as touchdown favorites after a stellar 3-year run, highlighted by a Cotton Bowl victory, three American Conference championship appearances, and countless weeks spent in the rankings.
With a newly reloaded team replacing a wealth of starting talent, Tulane not only lived up to its lofty expectations — it exceed them. The Green Wave
left zero doubt in a 23-3 decimation of Northwestern spearheaded by a relentless defense forcing a barrage of turnovers.
Tulane picked off Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone four times in the contest. The former SMU gunslinger had never been susceptible to turnovers in his career, delivering 28 touchdowns to six interceptions in a 2023 All-AAC campaign. However, the Green Wave defense feasted on every opportunity to snatch the ball from the get-go through the fourth quarter. Tulane’s defense wasted no time in setting the tone. On the first play of the contest, defensive tackle Kam Hamilton strip-sacked Stone. Northwestern recovered but only delayed the inevitable as Stone tossed an interception to Jahiem Johnson two plays later,
The Green Wave offense — replacing all six non-offensive line starters — capitalized on the early fortune. BYU transfer starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who arrived a little over a month ago, guided a quick, 8-play drive finishing with an end zone strike to tight end Justyn Reid.
Northwestern responded with its longest drive of the afternoon later in the first quarter, maneuvering 69 yards to the doorstep of the end zone. However, Tulane’s defense forced a chip shot field goal and denied the Wildcats from registering a single point for the final 45 minutes and 40 seconds of action.
The Green Wave dominance took charge in the second quarter, a period which they won 13-0. Tulane secured two of its four interceptions in that frame, courtesy of Davion White (who later snagged another one in the fourth quarter) and Kevin Adams III. At the same time, Retzlaff guided an explosive offense with his dual-threat capabilities. The new arrival sprinted 69 yards to the house to establish a 20-3 lead roughly 90 seconds before halftime, and on the final play of the half, the quarterback nearly housed another with a 34-yard explosion, getting tripped up by the last line of defense.
Retzlaff finished his first start in New Orleans with 152 passing yards, 113 rushing yards, and accounted for two total touchdowns. Other offensive transfers shined alongside Retzlaff, including running back Maurice Turner (Louisville) and wide receiver Omari Hayes (Florida Atlantic). Turner led all tailbacks with 70 yards in the victory, while Hayes secured nine receptions for 74 yards in his new home in the Big Easy.
As stellar as the offense was, the defense proved the most lethal component of the Green Wave. Missed tackles were scarce as Tulane frequently pummeled Northwestern ball carriers upon the instant of contact. The unit, returning just five starters, flew to the ball from the opening kick to the final whistle, securing three sacks and five deflections in addition to its 5-0 turnover advantage (four interceptions and one fumble recovery). Free safety Jack Tchienchou led the group in tackles with eight, registering his first collegiate sack in the dominant showing.
Rounding out the all-around victory for the Green Wave was new starting placekicker Patrick Durkin. Durkin only hit 2-of-4 field goals last season, but drained all three attempts in his 2025 debut, cashing in from 22, 41, and 31 yards to assist the scoring effort.
Tulane now improves to 4-1 all-time vs. Northwestern after emerging triumphant in the first meeting since 1956. The Wildcats remain in search of their first touchdown of the year, while the Green Wave are flying high after the 20-point victory. Tulane carries the momentum into a Week 2 matchup at South Alabama, the next leg in a difficult non-conference schedule. But on Saturday, amidst all the offseason turnover, Tulane established itself as one of the standard bearers of the American Conference — hoping this win could be the impetus behind a potential College Football Playoff run.
