Tulane Overwhlems Northwestern 23-3 In 2025 Opener

NEW ORLEANS — Jake Retzlaff threw for 152 yards and a landing and added a 69-yard scoring run as Tulane managed Northwestern 23-3 within the season opener Saturday at Yulman Stadium.

A switch from BYU, Retzlaff capped Tulane’s opening drive with a 1-yard landing move to Justyn Reid, then broke the sport open late within the first half along with his lengthy scoring run up the center. Patrick Durkin chipped in three discipline targets, together with a 41-yarder within the second quarter, because the Green Wave (1-0) constructed a 20-3 halftime lead and by no means appeared again.

Tulane’s protection compelled 5 turnovers — 4 interceptions and a fumble — and held Northwestern scoreless after the primary quarter. Jahiem Johnson, Kevin Adams III, Javion White and Jaden Johnson all picked off passes, whereas Kameron Hamilton added a strip sack.

Maurice Turner rushed for 85 yards, whereas Retzlaff ran 10 instances for 113 yards and the lengthy landing. Omari Hayes caught 9 passes for 74 yards to guide Tulane’s receivers.

Northwestern (0-1) managed simply 76 speeding yards and noticed quarterback Preston Stone intercepted 4 instances regardless of throwing for 161 yards. Luke Akers’ 21-yard discipline objective within the closing minute of the primary quarter supplied the Wildcats’ solely factors. Griffin Wilde led Northwestern with six receptions for 64 yards.

Tulane outgained Northwestern 420-237 and managed the ball for greater than 33 minutes. The Green Wave protection sacked Stone thrice and restricted the Wildcats to 5-of-11 on third downs and 0-for-2 on fourth. Linebacker Robert Fitzgerald led Northwestern with 13 tackles.

Durkin was excellent on three discipline targets and two further factors, whereas Alec Clark averaged practically 49 yards per punt to maintain Northwestern pinned deep.