Tulane Beats Army In Close Battle 24-17

In a game that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match than a college football Saturday, the Tulane Green Wave dug deep, finding a spark of magic when they needed it most. They pulled off a stunning 24-17 victory over Army in a nail-biter that will be talked about in New Orleans for a long, long time.

This wasn’t just another game. This was a brutal, grind-it-out affair where every yard felt earned, not given. For most of the afternoon at Yulman Stadium, it looked like Army’s relentless, clock-chewing option attack would be enough to suffocate the Green Wave. But in college football, and especially in the heart of New Orleans, you can never count out a team with a little bit of magic left in the tank.

Tulane Snatches Victory from the Jaws of Defeat

With the clock winding down and the game tied at 17, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Army had just gone three-and-out, giving Tulane one last shot with under two minutes to play. The weight of the moment fell squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Jake Retzlaff.

What happened next was pure football poetry. Retzlaff, cool under pressure, orchestrated a drive that will be etched into Green Wave lore. He sliced through the Army defense with four crisp completions and a gutsy 10-yard scramble, moving his team into striking distance.

Then came the play of the game. With just 27 seconds left, Retzlaff launched a prayer down the left sideline toward Shazz Preston. It was a high-risk, high-reward throw into tight coverage. An Army defender got a hand on it, tipping the ball into the air. For a split second, it felt like Tulane’s hopes were floating away. But Preston, a hometown hero from St. James, refused to let the dream die. He juggled the ball, a heart-stopping moment of uncertainty, before securing it in the end zone for a spectacular 26-yard touchdown. Yulman Stadium erupted. The improbable had just become reality.

A Battle of Wills: How the Game Unfolded

The game was a classic clash of styles. Army dominated the time of possession by nearly 18 minutes, sticking to their punishing ground game. Quarterback Cale Hellums was a one-man wrecking crew, carrying the ball a staggering 39 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He was the engine that made the Black Knights’ offense go, a relentless force that seemed destined to wear Tulane down.

For much of the game, it worked. The first half was a defensive slugfest, with both teams managing only a field goal each to go into the locker room tied 3-3. The tension only mounted in the second half. After both teams traded touchdowns, the game was a deadlock.

Tulane’s offense, held in check for long stretches, found its rhythm when it mattered most. They tied the game at 17-17 with a clutch 12-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Bohanon on a do-or-die fourth-and-8. That drive set the stage for the final, heroic moments that sealed the win.

What This Win Means for Tulane

This victory wasn’t just about moving to 6-1 on the season. It was about heart, resilience, and a touch of sweet revenge. Tulane had lost to this same Army team in the American Conference championship game last season, a bitter pill to swallow. This win exorcised some of those demons and kept the Green Wave firmly on track for another shot at the conference title.

Retzlaff finished the day 22 of 29 for 261 yards and two critical touchdowns, overcoming his first interception of the season. His poise in the final minutes was the difference-maker. Preston, with five catches for 86 yards, cemented his place as a Tulane legend with that final, breathtaking catch.

In a game where they were out-gained on the ground and seemingly out-muscled for long periods, Tulane found a way to win. It was a victory built on belief, clutch plays, and the kind of dramatic flair that makes college football the greatest show on turf. The Green Wave didn’t just win a football game; they created a moment that will be remembered forever.