Saturday in New Orleans produced one of the most eye-opening results of the season.
Tulane had won 10 of its last 11 home games. Tulsa had lost 14 of its last 16 conference matchups. But when the two 4-4 teams collided at Yulman Stadium, the result was about as lopsided as possible.
Tulsa hammered Tulane 60-10, building a 46-0 lead through three quarters before the Green Wave notched their first point. Here are key numbers from a result which certainly struck a chord with both fanbases, albeit in very
different ways:
50
Tulsa’s largest margin of victory since 2012 / Tulane’s largest margin of defeat since 2015
Tulsa had not blown out an opponent to that extent since 2012, when it defeated FCS Abilene Christian 66-16. Against FBS competition, it was the Golden Hurricane’s largest margin of victory since 2007 when they eviscerated Bowling Green 63-7 in the GMAC Bowl.
On the opposite sideline, Tulane suffered its most lopsided loss since 2015 when it lost 65-10 at Georgia Tech. For home games, it marked the Green Wave’s largest margin of defeat since 2012 when they were obliterated 63-10 by ULM.
Although the final separation between the American opponents was 50 points, it was almost more. Tulane managed its only touchdown with exactly one second remaining on the clock. Prior to that late score, Tulsa held a 60-3 advantage in New Orleans.
338
Baylor Hayes’ new career-high as a passer
Tulsa quarterback Baylor Hayes made his 15th start for the Golden Hurricane on Saturday, and it was his most prolific to date. The redshirt sophomore’s previous career-high was 296 yards against Temple in a 2025 overtime defeat. But that total was shattered in New Orleans as Hayes erupted for 338 passing yards and four touchdowns in the dominant victory. He completed 26-of-33 attempts while avoiding a single sack or interception, making it his best collegiate showing to date.
Hayes distributed 177 yards and three touchdowns to wide receiver Oran Singleton Jr., who actually outgained the entire Tulane offense prior to the Green Wave’s final drive. Jimmy Calloway also served as a frequent target, recording 55 receiving yards and a touchdown in an offensive clinic from the Golden Hurricane.
562-204
The yardage discrepancy between the teams
The scoreboard wasn’t the only significant discrepancy at Yulman Stadium. Tulsa outgained Tulane 562-204 in the yardage department, and the margin was even worse before the fourth quarter. Entering the final frame, Tulsa held a 467-90 advantage in offensive production.
Tulane gained 73 yards (35.8 percent) in the final three minutes of action on its lone touchdown drive. Prior to that possession, the Golden Hurricane had more than quadrupled the Green Wave’s output.
3
The number of conference losses Tulane has
From 2022-25, Tulane lost a total of three regular season conference games, falling to UCF in 2022, Memphis in 2024, and UTSA in 2025. The 2026 Green Wave already racked up their third conference defeat, tying that 2022-25 total with three games left on the docket.
With three games remaining, Tulane is still alive for the conference championship, as is every team except for Rice. However, the Green Wave will need significant help to secure their fifth consecutive conference championship appearance after qualifying for an American Conference record four straight.
+59
Tulsa’s point differential in conference play
The 50-point annihilation represented the Golden Hurricane’s second conference win of the season and third of the Tre Lamb era. Although Tulsa is just 2-3 in conference play, the Golden Hurricane already had a positive point differential in American play prior to the 60-10 victory at Tulane.
All three of Tulsa’s conference losses were by one score — falling by one to North Texas, eight to Navy, and three to Army. However, the Golden Hurricane’s victories have been significantly more decisive, upending Rice by 21 on the road before pulverizing Tulane by 50.
Only Memphis (+96) and North Texas (+87) own better differentials in American games this season.
