Tulane’s Week 1 statement was emphatic. The Green Wave throttled Northwestern 23-3, piling up 420 total yards and forcing five turnovers while never allowing the Wildcats inside the red zone. Jon Sumrall’s defense, criticized last year for surrendering chunk plays, held Northwestern to 3.8 yards per snap and just 78 rushing yards on 27 attempts. That dominance set a raucous Yulman Stadium crowd at ease; even when drives stalled (Tulane settled for three Patrick Durkin field goals), the outcome felt secure from the opening series.

Much of the optimism centered on late-arriving quarterback Jake Retzlaff . The BYU transfer didn’t enroll until July, yet earned the start and delivered a poised debut: 18-for-31 passing, 152 yards and a first-quarter touchdown, plus 113 rushing yards on

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