Even through a cascading downpour, the Yulman Stadium stadium lights never shined quite this bright. Transpiring under those lights was truly an unforeseen American Conference Championship stage, with lofty stakes attached to both teams, unlike anything the conference ever saw in its previous 10 title matchups.
Prior to Friday night in New Orleans, the 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats were the only American champion to crash the exclusive College Football Playoff field, qualifying in the twilight of the 4-team
era. But the playoff’s 2024 expansion to 12 qualifiers skyrocketed the American’s access to the event, thus creating the first-ever title game that doubled as a CFP play-in game.
Given Tulane’s status as No. 20 and North Texas’ as No. 24 in the CFP rankings, whichever team prevailed in the Big Easy punched a ticket to the playoff as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. And that procedure was firmly understood by the sea of olive green and sky blue that encompassed the field the instant Tulane ousted North Texas 34-21, triumphantly claiming its second conference championship in four years.
Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, who accepted the lead position at Florida five days prior to kickoff, was embraced by his players as he coached his final game at Yulman Stadium. Despite a schedule trip to Gainesville the instant the season concludes, Sumrall committed to coaching the Green Wave through the conference championship and upcoming College Football Playoff run — enthusiastic about accompanying the program’s historic season.
North Texas entered the contest with the No. 1 ranked scoring offense and total offense in the nation, generating 46.8 points per game and never scoring under 31 all season. Plenty of that success was fueled by arguably the program’s best offensive line in history, which surrendered just 13 sacks in 12 games — the 13th-lowest total in the FBS. But in a championship setting, the Mean Green were suddenly slowed by the conditions and Tulane’s dominance in the trenches. The Green Wave registered five sacks during North Texas’ greatest offensive struggle of the year, limiting the 11-win team to a season-low 21 points.
The Mean Green looked like their usual selves on the opening series, methodically maneuvering 75 yards down the field in 15 plays, as the FBS leading passer Drew Mestemaker found tight end Tre Williams III for a short touchdown. Tulane responded with a near-identical 16-play, 81-yard series, essentially exhausting the remainder of the first quarter to shorten the game.
The turning point transpired in the early second quarter, right after a sack backed up North Texas to 3rd and 21. Mestemaker attempted to make up yardage on a screen to star running back Caleb Hawkins. Once the true freshman racked up 11 yards, Tulane free safety Jack Tchienchou punched the ball out and cornerback LJ Green recovered, positioning the Green Wave at the North Texas 37. Hawkins, the nation’s leader in rushing touchdowns, laid on the field during Green’s recovery, subsequently exiting due to injury without a return.
Riding a tidal wave of momentum, the Green Wave’s new feature tailback Jamauri McClure took matters into his own ends in a 2-play series, driving an entire pile of white jerseys for a 30-yard pickup and then waltzing freely into the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown. McClure logged 121 yards in the victory, marking a season-high for any Tulane running back.
The mismatch at the line of scrimmage and a massive special teams debacle further extended the Green Wave advantage. Right before halftime, a Tulane punt collided with an unsuspecting Baron Tipton, quite distant from the return man. The Green Wave pounced on the line ball from the 13-yard line and accrued all 13 yards through hard-nosed running. On the final play of the second quarter, Jake Retzlaff was assisted past the goal line on a tush push, provided Tulane a commanding 24-7 halftime lead on its homefield.
The barrage only continued in the second half when Mestemaker’s pass to his leading receiver Wyatt Young deflected off Young’s gloves and into those of Tulane outside linebacker Chris Rodgers — marking just the third game in 13 starts the quarterback misfired to the defense. Rodgers raced 35 yards behind an entourage of blockers, but he coughed the ball right around the goal line, thanks to Mestemaker throwing his body on the line as an obstacle. After a lengthy and controversial review, the touchdown was upheld, providing Tulane a commanding 31-7 lead.
North Texas experienced déjà vu the following possession, which marked the offense’s fifth-straight scoreless drive. On the doorstep of the end zone, another Mestemaker pass deflected off Young’s hands, and Tchienchou was waiting right Young behind in the blue paint. The free safety dove for a juggling grab to secure the Green Wave’s fourth takeaway of the contest. With a team-high nine tackles to go along with an interception and forced fumble, Tchienchou claimed Most Outstanding Player honors, joining SMU strong safety Isaiah Nwokobia (2023) as the second defender to warrant the award.
In 11 wins this seasons, North Texas committed a combined seven turnovers. Yet, the Mean Green committed five turnovers in their only regular season defeat vs. South Florida, and they coughed up the ball five times in the championship loss at Tulane — the prevailing theme of both shortcomings.
North Texas overcame its turnover struggles in the late third quarter and trimmed the deficit to 31-21 with over nine minutes to go, but it was too late. The Green Wave collected 199 rushing yards as a unit, essentially pounding the rock and controlling the clock until the trophy was hoisted.
North Texas (11-2, 7-1 American) suffered its second defeat of 2025. The Mean Green won’t qualify for the playoff, but this still remains the best season in program history, as Eric Morris set a new program record for wins behind a domineering offense and crashed the American Championship stage.
Tulane (12-1, 7-1 American) will see its logo during Sunday’s unveiling of the College Football Playoff bracket, certain to land a spot as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. The Green Wave’s seeding and opponent are yet to be determined, as Saturday’s results determine the fate of where Sumrall and Co. land for the most significant game in program history.
