NEW ORLEANS — Jake Retzlaff passed for a touchdown and added a 69-yard scoring run in his Tulane debut, and the Green Wave rolled to a 23-3 season-opening victory over Northwestern on Saturday.
Retzlaff — who won 11 games at BYU last season but transferred after learning he faced a suspension for violating his former school’s honor code — accounted for 265 yards of offense. He passed for 152 yards and rushed for 113.
His numbers could have been better if not for six drops by Tulane receivers, including two in the end zone during one early drive that ended with a short field goal.
Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone, a transfer from SMU, threw a career-high four interceptions in his Wildcats debut, including on his first pass. He also lost a late fumble.
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 game was Tulane’s first at home against a team from the Big Ten since 1955, when the Green Wave also defeated Northwestern.
The midday, late-August kickoff this time 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.
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 touchdown run down the middle of the field, which was remarkably similar to one he had in junior college in 2022.
Tulane’s Kevin Adams and Jahiem Johnson also intercepted Stone in the first half.
The takeaway
Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone makes a pass against Tulane on Aug. 30, 2025, in New Orleans. (Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
Northwestern: The Wildcats’ big offensive line — its five starters average nearly 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds — struggled against Tulane’s defensive front. Northwestern gave up three sacks, and the Wildcats finished with 76 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 their first victory over a Big Ten team since 1970 at Illinois.
Up next
Northwestern plays its home opener Friday against Western Illinois.
Tulane visits South Alabama on Sept. 6.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/30/northwestern-tulane-football-preston-stone/
