Tulane Dominates In Shocking Win Over Big Ten Opponent

The Tulane Green Wave faithful had waited long enough. After decades of heartbreak and near-misses against Power 4 competition, Tulane finally delivered the kind of performance that reminded everyone why Yulman Stadium can be a house of horrors for visiting teams.

Saturday’s 23-3 dismantling of Northwestern wasn’t just a season opener – it was a declaration. The Green Wave looked every bit the part of a program ready to take the next step, and they did it with the kind of suffocating defense and explosive playmaking that championship teams are built on.

Jake Retzlaff, the BYU transfer who arrived in New Orleans just over a month ago, looked like he had been running this offense for years. Sure, his receivers dropped five passes because Retzlaff was firing bullets instead of touch passes, but when it mattered most, he delivered magic. His 69-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter was the kind of backbreaking play that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.  

The numbers tell the story of a quarterback who can hurt you in multiple ways: 18-of-31 for 152 yards passing with one touchdown, plus a career-high 113 rushing yards and another score on the ground. More importantly, Retzlaff showed the kind of poise under pressure that gives coaches confidence in big moments.

Tulane Key Moments and Performances 

• Jahiem Johnson’s early interception – The defensive back picked off Preston Stone on Northwestern’s opening drive, setting up Retzlaff’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Justyn Reid and immediately putting the Wildcats on their heels.
• Retzlaff’s 69-yard touchdown run – Late in the second quarter, the transfer quarterback showed elite breakaway speed, needing just one block to reach the end zone and extend Tulane’s lead to 20-3.
• Javion White’s two-pick performance – The nickelback had a field day against Stone, including the interception that set up Retzlaff’s explosive touchdown run.
• Kevin Adams III’s second-quarter pick – Another defensive back got in on the action, with his interception leading to a Tulane field goal.
• Jon Sumrall’s fourth-down gamble – Facing fourth-and-8 at the Northwestern 38, the head coach showed trust in his offense and was rewarded with a 10-yard completion that kept a scoring drive alive.

What This Victory Means for Tulane

This wasn’t just any win – this was the kind of statement victory that programs use as launching pads. Head Coach Jon Sumrall earned his first victory over a Power 4 opponent, and he did it in style. The Green Wave hadn’t beaten a Big Ten team since Northwestern in 1956, and their last home victory over a Power 4 opponent came against Mississippi State back in 2003.

The defensive performance was particularly encouraging. While Northwestern’s offense looked anemic, Tulane’s defense was aggressive, opportunistic, and relentless. They sacked Stone on the very first snap, forced a fumble, and then picked him off on the next play. That’s the kind of suffocating pressure that can turn good defenses into elite units. 

The real test comes in two weeks when Duke and Quarterback Darian Mensah visit New Orleans. But for now, Tulane fans have every reason to believe this team is built differently than previous iterations. The combination of Retzlaff’s dual-threat ability and a defense that can create short fields through turnovers is a recipe for success in any conference.