Tulane 23-3 Northwestern (Aug 30, 2025) Recreation Recap

NEW ORLEANS — — Jake Retzlaff handed for a landing on the primary collection of his Tulane debut and scored on a 69-yard run because the Green Wave rolled to a 23-3 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.

Retzlaff — who received 11 video games at BYU final season, however transferred after learning he faced a suspension for violating his former school’s honor code — accounted for 265 yards of offense. He handed for 152 yards and rushed for 113.

“It’s been a long offseason,” Retzlaff said. “So, I’m just so excited to be able to get on this field and play with these guys. I’ve got a great group of guys around me. I’m so fortunate.”

His numbers might have been higher if not for six drops by Tulane receivers, together with two in the long run zone throughout one early drive that ended with a brief discipline purpose.

“Big-time performance for a guy who’s been here a whopping 38 days,” Tulane coach Jon Sumrall mentioned of Retzlaff.

New Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone, a switch from SMU, threw a career-high 4 interceptions in his Wildcats debut, together with on his first cross. He additionally misplaced a late fumble.

“One game does not define us as a football team; this one just happens to be the first one and stings a lot,” Northwestern coach David Braun mentioned.

“Preston Stone did not play his greatest soccer sport right this moment, however I mentioned it boldly in that locker room, ‘Believe in that guy. That’s our quarterback,'” Braun added. “He’s mentally tough, physically tough. He’ll respond well.”

Tulane converted the first three interceptions into 17 points — starting with Retzlaff’s scoring pass to Justyn Reid in the back of the end zone — while building a 20-3 halftime lead.

“The defense set the tone and then we followed suit by scoring on that first possession,” Retzlaff said. “It’s awesome to have a defense like that, man. You can always rely on them to get a stop and they played an unbelievable game today.”

The game was Tulane’s first at home against a team from the Big Ten Conference since 1955, when the Green Wave also defeated Northwestern.

The mid-day, late-August kickoff forced the visitors from just north of Chicago to endure the type of uncomfortably hot, humid air for which south Louisiana is known during summer. Temperatures were in the mid-80s, but with the sun shining much of the game and humidity around 70%, the heat index was in the mid- to high-90s.

“We knew that it was going to be a nice, warm, humid day, but it’s nothing new for us,” said Retzlaff, whose team finished with 268 yards rushing. “It wore on them. … We were gashing them in the run game more and more.”

Tulane defensive back Javion White had two interceptions. The first, a leaping snag on a long pass along the sideline, set up Ratzlaff’s long TD run down the center of the sphere, which was remarkably just like one he had in junior college in 2022.

“It was deja vu for me, actually,” Retzlaff mentioned.

Tulane’s Kevin Adams and Jahiem Johnson additionally intercepted Stone within the first half.

Angry Wave

Sumrall instructed that Northwestern disrespected New Orleans when the Wildcats declined the Green Wave’s request to put on all-white uniforms with out logos, just like the 2005 Tulane group did in its first sport after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Instead, Tulane wore inexperienced jerseys and took the decal off of its inexperienced helmets to honor the ‘05 team. Northwestern, which as the visiting team had first choice on uniforms, wore all white, as would be expected in hot weather.

“We talked this week about playing for the city,” Sumrall said, noting that he showed players video footage of the deadly storm and its aftermath. “I wanted them to have an appreciation of what this city’s been by way of.”

Northwestern “got to wear all white; they took the loss,” Sumrall mentioned. “I’m not making an attempt to be a jerk, however I received a number of love for this place. … Don’t disrespect the town.”

The takeaway

Northwestern: The Wildcats’ big offensive line — its five starters averaged nearly 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds — struggled against Tulane’s defensive front. Northwestern gave up three sacks and the Wildcats finished with 76 net yards rushing.

Tulane: Retzlaff had 216 total yards by halftime — 212 passing and 104 rushing. That, and a strong defensive performance throughout, propelled the Wave to its first victory over a Big Ten team since 1970 at Illinois.

Up next

Northwestern plays its home opener on Friday against Western Illinois.

Tulane visits South Alabama on Sept. 6.

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