Tulane did its damage early by finding paydirt on its first two drives, and the No. 24 Green Wave locked in a spot in the American Conference title game by blanking the Charlotte 49ers 27-0 on Saturday night in New Orleans, La.

With the win, the Green Wave (10-2, 7-1) earned the right to host North Texas next Friday night in the American Football Championship in the first meeting between the teams this season.

Tulane's Jake Retzlaff went 28 of 38 for 291 yards and two interceptions but rushed for two scores. Anthony Brown-Stephens had nine catches for 98 yards. Jamauri McClure rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries.

For Charlotte (1-11, 0-8), Grayson Loftis completed 18 of 25 passes for 140 yards with an interception. Sean Brown notched five receptions for 49 yards.

This was the first time

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